I generally write about work, and how to make the work place more positive and engaging. This month my thoughts are broader–how to make our society and the world more peaceful.

In this midst of this holiday season, which is normally filled with anticipation and joy, I find myself struggling to make sense of the human violence that daily floods my awareness.

I believe by nature human beings are more prone to be kind and compassionate than hateful and violent. So, what is going on in my community and in the world? And, more importantly, can we fix it?

As the debates about what to do about violence become more polarized, I find myself becoming more ambivalent about my positions, less sure in my opinions.

• I agree that we must protect freedom of speech; and I agree that excessive violence in entertainment (e.g. books, movies, TV shows, video games, rap songs) contributes to the violence.
• I agree that people have the right to own guns; and I believe no civilian needs a semi-automatic weapon.
• I agree that we should protect the privacy of people with mental illness; and I agree that they should not be allowed to buy guns.
• I agree that black lives matter and racism is real; and I agree that most police officers deserve our respect and gratitude.
• I agree that we should welcome refugees who are fleeing unimaginable horrors; and I am afraid that those intent on inflicting more harm would exploit this generosity.

I believe that the path to peace is to build more bridges, not more walls; to create more understanding, not more judgement; to ask more questions and really listen to each other’s perspectives.

Perhaps the seeds of peace lie in the very ambivalence that makes me uncomfortable. Perhaps moving away from knowing with certainty to asking with genuine curiosity is our best hope for the future.

In this season, we celebrate the birth of Jesus and the birth of Muhammad. We have Festivals of Lights, and affirm the principles of Kwanzaa. And, when we have reached our darkest day, our part of the world will again turns its face toward the sun as we celebrate the Solstice.

I pray for world peace through understanding, and wish you peace in your world this holiday season.