How Peace Can Be a Liability
Updated: Aug 20
The "problem" with peace is that it is often an uneventful life, and an uneventful life is arguably a boring one, at least for some. Those who strive for greatness should seek it in conflict, where they can prove themselves, and not in peace, where conflicts and adversities are few. The fewer enemies you have, the less chance you have to prove your might, presence, and relevance. I have learned this on my own.
Peace is something many of us seek, whether it's peace from military conflicts, like the one happening in Ukraine, or peace from debt, annoying neighbors, and other stressful events or people. The problem with that, however, is that when it finally arrives, one must prepare themselves for a life of relative dullness. After all, a lack of action arguably means a lack of excitement, challenge, and trials. It's quite of an impactful choice by itself, to do nothing. One that could hinder the hope found in a person's potential.
Why, then, should one seek peace? I seek peace mainly because I am very sensitive to sounds, and thus I afford myself a life of physical solitude. I don't have to face the challenge and stress that come from regular work, AKA, work other than this very site.
Therefore, my life is very, very uneventful. It mainly consists of me spending time in leisure and doing my house's chores until I have an idea to write something, such as this.
Because of these facts, I largely see my life as being in its very epilogue, even though I am only in my twenties. I served society enough and at the poor exapnse of my health. I retired from it without much regret. In the absence of adversity and with most of my desires in the world fulfilled, I see little reason to continue living other than philosophizing and helping those I wish to help.
The other small reason is the impact of an unwanted suicide on others, something I do not desire for myself either. I am a large, intimidating asocial man. The social world is out of my own world, as it deserves being, for its own good. Thus, I force myself to live just to write, and to be honest, I feel quite comfortable with this arrangement, of not having to kill my time alive just to please others.
The reason why Ms. Chen, my "nemesis", is even relevant is because she was my only influential enough person to even be considered a nemesis, and I mostly knew her from almost a decade ago.
If I had more people close to me who could be adversaries, perhaps I wouldn't be so fixated on becoming more relevant in this world. I'm just not used to it, but I now understand my potential better. For good and for bad...
Based on my example, a peaceful life could be very boring, or even an unwilling one, unless you have a goal in mind that is worthy enough to occupy your time, energy, and thoughts.
Should you have a peaceful life but not anything else, you might find yourself asking philosophical questions such as "Is my existence even needed in this world?", or "What is even the point in continuing to write?" In a sense, writing has pretty much restored my hope to continue living, despite the grayness of my hermit lifestyle.
For some, that purpose is giving one's kids a better future. For others, it is the search for a life partner. Anything should be useful as long as it keeps one away from the possible fact, that this existence is futile and non-eternal, as nihilists would tell you.
A peaceful life, beyond the pleasures that accompany it, is like a reception room in Death's office. You spend your life without challenges or conflicts, indirectly waiting for the inevitable end.
Those who are not as peaceful are too occupied, for good or bad, with life's struggles and hardships; an occupation that separates them between worrying about finding a purpose and contemplating death.
Of course, they might think about it, but they have other things to take care of, things that are challenging, before even considering death as their nearest option. That nearness, you see, could even be decades away, as it is in my case.
A peaceful life is not for everyone. Those who seek struggles and conflicts may find it difficult to live their lives without them.
Also, those who seek greater renown may have a harder time finding it in this lifestyle, because greatness is something that is developed and challenged by adversity and competition. Those who choose the path of peace may find it more difficult to live a life of greater significance beyond the influence of their current or past occupation(s).
I won't let my disabilities stand in my way of at least trying to move up in the world, while remaining in relative peace at the same time.
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