Haters of conflict should not be confused with lovers of peace. Gandhi reminded us that ‘peace is not the absence of conflict …’. but do we have to have conflict to know peace? perhaps we should add that peace is not simply the absence of conflict. sometimes, conflict (within your own soul and/or externally, with others) is a necessary road to peace. at least to true peace. too often we confuse no discussion; debate; disagreement; disturbance with peacefulness. peace, however is reflective of honest harmony, both internal and external. peace is not achieved as a once off and then forever held. peace has life as it is found in life and so must be always sought after, longed for, desired and even fought for. but there is only one way to achieve peace. respectfully and deliberately conscious of all impacted by its lack. peace is a lifelong process of building and unbuilding and rebuilding … together. even your own individual peace needs to be built with the contributions of others. the absence of conflict might indicate peace, or it might be hiding the road to it, causing deeper, longer lasting conflict. I wonder, if those who pretend peace without ever engaging respectful conflict are really employing cowardice in an attempt to delude themselves into a false sense of comfort. truth is sometimes painful, sometimes confronting and sometimes very harsh. but truth, shared in its proper time and place, is always aiming to better us. truth’s gift is often conflict. conflict’s gift can always be peace, when handled with humility, respectfulness and forgiveness.