Intrepid honesty may be among the most difficult forms of being intrepid because, although we value honesty as a virtue in our culture, most of us have had difficulty facing it as regards ourselves.

To hear that we have let ourselves go, or that we changed from the sweet wonderful person we once were, or that we have caused harm, or been unfair, or that others are worried for us – these examples of being intrepidly honest demonstrate how we are likely to squirm when confronted with a focused view of reality – whether from others or ourselves observing ourselves.

Honesty must be constructively and lovingly offered to have a reasonable chance of being effective. Intrepid honesty is fearlessly loving in its intent to support one’s own or another’s growth.

How often are you intrepidly honest with yourself? With others? How do you access the level of courage required to be intrepid in sharing your constructive observations? Are you willing to be intrepid in your sharing even if you know that what you communicate will be met with difficulty or even total rejection?

Where in your life would it be the most useful for you to be intrepid? Being fearlessly committed to some aspect of your life, in my experience in working with clients, is something that most all humans understand.

Consider the example of becoming parents. No one knows how things are going to turn out with children. There are tremendous risks of every kind, yet children continue to be born to millions of parents who raise and nurture them. And, of course, some parents are intrepid in pursuing habits which lead them to be poor parents (the subject of another blog).

Assuming that being intrepid is something that you as a human being know a lot about, where would you like to apply that understanding? Where would persevering against the odds, being resolute, and staying strong benefit you the most?

First, I have to admit that the quality of being intrepid is one of my all-time favorites. Check out this definition from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary: “characterized by resolute fearlessness, fortitude, and endurance.”

We’ve written in our book, Tougher Times, that current economic conditions require persistence and imagination. Being intrepid in the face of difficulty is a worthwhile quality to cultivate.

Being intrepid is far easier if you firmly believe in your cause, your business, your values, and your goals. Can you think of an aspect of your life where you have refused to give up, no matter what?

It may be something that others have told you is impossible; and some may have even tried to dissuade you from your commitment.

How have you dealt with your own doubt or the opinions of others who questioned the wisdom of your commitment to your goals? How have you maintained your persistence?

Peace is perhaps best understood by describing it rather than defining it. It is a dawn walk with your puppy, a sweet reconnection with a friend, a completion of a project long in the making, an embrace with someone you love . . . all life moments of joy which transcend the day-to-day.

What are your descriptors of peaceful moments? Is it the glow after a bike ride, a walk at the end of the day, meditation in a group of comrades, a hike in the full moon, or spending quality time with your children?

The concept of “peace” may be slightly less elusive if we have some ideas about what it looks and feels like – and if we can then navigate to those experiences. What are your favorite ideas of peace?

Making peace is something that most humans understand and practice to some degree. You’ve probably experienced discord in some kind of business or personal relationship where you became aware of a desire to return to a peaceful state.

Do you think that we humans are inherently peace-loving creatures? How is it that you have had your peacemaking activities? What have been your motivations? Have your peacemaking overtures ever been rejected?

The olive branch is the traditional sign of peace; and it means, “Let’s get along. Let’s stop fighting.” Who are the people, if any, toward whom you have maintained less than a full peacefulness? Are there any people whom you are now motivated to contact and seek to engage in a dialogue of peace? What have been your considerations, your resistances, your excuses?

Peace in the world includes peace of mind. The Course in Miracles says, “Peace of mind is my only goal.” Everyone can relate to enjoying a feeling of peace, tranquility and contentment.

We have the ability to support the peace of mind of others as we engage it for ourselves.

In what is without question the “busiest” time in the history of human beings, peace of mind can be elusive. Fear, very broadly stated, has been the most likely barrier to peace of mind; and practices like meditation, exercise and breathing can dramatically enhance peace of mind.

How do you engage peace of mind? Do you have a practice that works for you? Who do you know who has peace of mind from whom you can learn?

Peace, of course, is a state of non-violence and tranquility – yet it’s potentially something more. Writer Dorothy Thompson said:

“Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of creative alternatives for responding to conflict – alternatives to passive or aggressive responses, alternatives to violence.”

A fascinating take, isn’t it, that peace is about creative approaches? There was someone who, prior to the war in Iraq, suggested that the religious leaders of the world meet in Baghdad and stay there until a peaceful solution could be found to the issues.

Without regard to either the political issues or the practicalities, that person was thinking outside the box. No bombing could start with that kind of high profile presence in Baghdad. And, potentially, the presence of those notables would have put pressure on the situation to manifest a peaceful solution. Who knows? The point is that it was a creative approach to peace besides the more-often-assumed pacifism.

What kinds of creative approaches can you think of to currently violent situations? What are alternatives to “might is right”?

September 21st is the International Day of Peace established by a resolution of the United Nations in 1981. According to the website listed below, “Peace Day provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date.”

http://www.internationaldayofpeace.org/

Peace is a concern, on some level, for all human beings. For many humans, there is no peace owing to overt war, omnipresent violence and ruthless oppression. Yet, even in our so-called “civilized society,” our newscasts frequently contain reports of violence and murder against innocent victims – most often because of differences that apparently frighten some people enough that they choose to harm others – most recently in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

How can today be a day of peace for you . . . within your family, your profession, your friends – and, as importantly as any other – within yourself? Peace can be built. How can each of us contribute to expanding peace on our planet?

Family relationships, like all relationships, benefit from kindness, attention and nurturing. Author, Jim Rohn, said:

“Your family and your love must be cultivated like a garden. Time, effort, and imagination must be summoned constantly to keep any relationship flourishing and growing.”

It’s one thing to be on your own – and quite another to have those by your side who are your family – by blood, marriage, choice – or just pure love.

How are you doing at nurturing your family ties? Is there someone in your life who sets an example and tends to nourish the family more or better than you? Are there any actions that you know, deep in your soul, that you wish you could take if only you could?

No consideration of family would be complete without some mention of family dynamics and the oftentimes difficult and dysfunctional events that occur. I’ve often been inspired by people who could observe family difficulties, yet not be sucked into any vortex of upset.

Family systems are a natural place for us to engage our own growth, observe our own limitations, and test our assumptions about how things should be. Our individual identities are so much a function of how we identify our families that it’s understandable that highly-charged emotions often surface.

Since every family has its share of dysfunction, yours has some. How well do you manage yours? What lessons have you learned about how best to navigate when there is some form of upset present – especially upset of long standing history that families have? What is your best advice to others in how to manage themselves in their family systems?