If there was just word to say it all, I would pick “Peace.”  I’d even give it a period, and end it right there.

It’s taken me decades to understand that which seemed so simple to accept at first.  I will account for this journey here, on this Peace of Paper blog.

We have peace when we respond justly to our problems.

While exploring life I’m often astounded at what Humanity has achieved around the planet.  We are animals, and yet we are so very special and different from all other life.  We’ve built amazing things, achieved new abilities, and become aware of so much more than just our own survival.

In 2018 I visited the site of the ancient Olympics in Greece.  The steps behind me in the photo above once led to Apollo’s Temple, the highest of all Greek Gods.

The story of what happened on these grounds is inspirational to me and many other peacemakers seeking proof that we can put aggression behind us.

Nearly 3,000 years ago, the Balkan peninsula was wrapped in regional wars between otherwise thriving communities.  The only place where open aggression was not allowed were the holy sites at Mount Olympus.

The games started small, growing in importance and diversity, and over the same period, violence in the region declined.  Historians describe the Classic period of Greece (1,100 to 336 BC) as a peaceful one, marked by the development of the democratic leadership style, and of course, the Olympic games.

By coming together purposefully and without aggression, we allow for healing from past harm, and enable the process of making peace. Even today, we can see that it’s collaboration and togetherness that quells violence, and we treasure the places in our lives that bring us this kind of peace.

Peace of Paper is an expression of my belief that we need a better way to talk about peace.  Here, I’ll explore philosophical ideas, share real-world experiments, and look for feedback on iterations of this central premise: peace is always the best choice.

I invite you to join me and challenge me.  My inspiration comes from my experiences, from the Peace Corps in Africa to afterschool programs in Idaho; from science books in coffee shops to true love in a life partnership; from believing in God to believing in Humanity.  It’s all ready to be shared, right here.  And it all relates to peace.

I hope you find peace in your moments because they are so very few.  Perhaps together we can contribute a little to bringing justice to our life as Humans.

Otherwise, what’s the point?

For peace,
Jason J Paper