Does Peace Matter Anymore?

"Keeping peace in the valley."

That was something my grandma used to say quite a bit. Being a literal person now, an even more literal kid then, I thought she was referring to peace in the village of Cahokia, where she lived. I thought of villages as spaces marked by hills and valleys, though I wasn't quite sure where this valley existed.

At one time, peace was one of the most cited values people held. Today, when I hear the word "peace," it's more often coupled with people-pleasing. Keeping peace, perhaps meaning keeping quiet, something my generation has become increasingly skeptical of (for good reason).

Is peace still meaningful?

I think so.

Peace springs forth a sense of clarity and stillness. It encourages compassion.

As a child, I remember bouncing out to a little bench surrounded by plants. The bench rests in a small lot my grandma would garden in, centered in a town with a poverty rate of 41 percent (Data USA, 2025) and one of the highest crime rates in the United States (FBI, 2019).

Sitting on a neighborhood porch this last week with a relative and his friend, you'd have no idea. I witnessed a caring friendship, smiles, and shared kindness. Finding myself an anxious adult, I have often sought out such spaces and connections when available. Life overflows with stress and pain; sometimes we just wish for peace.

Peace is not about sacrificing ourselves or our values. On the contrary, seeking peace is a value. We don't need to have an abundance of physical things to hold peace. It is stillness and clarity that can be surprisingly tricky to find even in the most ideal circumstances.

3 Ways to Find Peace

1. Through Your Breath

Breathwork has been a mainstay in mindfulness for decades. On its surface, it may come across as simple and even patronizing. Yet, I have found that taking time to turn inward toward my breath, without changing it, gives a centering.

2. In Nature

I like to lie in my hammock watching the squirrels play above, listening to the birds sing, and feeling the wind. There is a harmony to it. Though I know that a day will come when the squirrels will stop playing and the birds' song will end. Still, I can be in this swing, appreciating what is in this moment.

3. With Conflict

One might think, "Jen, conflict is the opposite of peace." I disagree. Confronting conflict allows us to make adjustments and renew our sense of balance so we can repair relationships. An ability to address conflict maintains connection, while ignoring it leads to piles of conflict with each fragment adding to the complexity of the beast.

Closing

Peace is not weak; it's not compromise. It's worth cultivating.