Over the last few weeks I've found myself observing friends, acquaintances and colleagues being drawn into arguments and conflicts with others. Usually it seems that the other person starts it. But, this has started me wondering if we can make a choice not to be drawn in. If we could choose a more peaceful way to react when others provoke us. I'm not in favour of allowing others to "walk all over me" or take advantage of me, but in standing up for myself I feel it is better to do in a way that does not attack the other person either.

On a higher level, if we can all learn to live peacefully - standing firm for ourselves but without attacking others, could that ripple out into world conflicts. Could it be that world peace starts within each of us?