(Slightly OT) Has anyone else thought about this?

Whistle
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Sorry if that subject isn’t too descriptive, but I couldn’t think of anything else to put. Anyway, I believe a member on the board awhile back was talking about how he would play his whistle on the way to his job during the morning traffic jam and how he never really got stressed out about it. That got me to thinking. Take the members on this board for instance, we all get along and there’s usually a lot of peace on here; we all play the whistle and that makes us happy, and in return we’re going to be nice to each other. Does this make sense? I just wonder if people, instead of being stressed out about little things and getting angry about a traffic jam, etc. did something that made them happy if there would be peace in the world. If everyone did something that made them happy, like playing the whistle, they wouldn’t have time to think about being angry. Has anyone else thought of this?

Peace,
Sara

“If everyone demanded peace as much as they do another TV set, then there’d be peace.” - John Lennon

[ This Message was edited by: Sara on 2002-02-19 21:06 ]

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On 2002-02-19 21:05, Sara wrote:
Take the members on this board for instance, we all get along and there’s usually a lot of peace on here; we all play the whistle and that makes us happy, and in return we’re going to be nice to each other. Does this make sense?

I think I get what you are saying, but I don’t believe that we be nice to each other mainly because we play the whistle, or because the playing the whistle can make us happy. I feel that there can be a lot of benefits to being nice and thats reason enough. Thats how I see it anyways.

I just wonder if people, instead of being stressed out about little things and getting angry about a traffic jam, etc. did something that made them happy if there would be peace in the world.

I think its going to take a little more than doing things that make us happy everyday to have peace in the world. And that might never happen in my lifetime anyway, as I see it.

Human beings tend to be restless by nature, and an absolutely peaceful world is not everyone’s cup of tea. Conflicts, to a certain extent, make the world more fun to live in too. Moreover, what is considered peaceful - relative to what? Different people, with different backgrounds will have different ideas of what the ideal level of peace is, or even what can be classified as peace.

I think what is more “advantageous” than endlessly yearning for peace on Earth, is peace in oneself.

If everyone did something that made them happy, like playing the whistle, they wouldn’t have time to think about being angry.

Well it depends.. the world is filled with very different individuals. Things that make one happy may infringe on another’s happiness. People have different moral standards and that comes into play too. And being angry is not always a “bad thing” when you come to think of it. And sometimes, war isn’t too.

Additionally, if it were not for the experience of the absence of peace who would yearn for the experience of peace?

Thats the end of my rambling. I wrote it out for me as much as for anyone.

[ This Message was edited by: Eldarion on 2002-02-20 01:23 ]

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I often play whistle or mandolin on the backstairs at work in my lunchtime, partly because it’s a good way to get in a half hour’s practise, but also to de-stress myself if it’s been a rough morning. :roll:I can’t play on my journey to and from because I cycle. :smiley:

I never fail to get encouragement from stair-users (I can’t think what else to call them) who enjoy hearing the tunes, even the way I play them.

I hope I have put a little music into their day, and a smile on their faces.

I only asked how to finger a Cnat and she hit me…

[ This Message was edited by: Martin Milner on 2002-02-21 07:56 ]

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On 2002-02-19 21:05, Sara wrote:
Sorry if that subject isn’t too descriptive, but I couldn’t think of anything else to put. Anyway, I believe a member on the board awhile back was talking about how he would play his whistle on the way to his job during the morning traffic jam and how he never really got stressed out about it. That got me to thinking. Take the members on this board for instance, we all get along and there’s usually a lot of peace on here; we all play the whistle and that makes us happy, and in return we’re going to be nice to each other. Does this make sense? I just wonder if people, instead of being stressed out about little things and getting angry about a traffic jam, etc. did something that made them happy if there would be peace in the world. If everyone did something that made them happy, like playing the whistle, they wouldn’t have time to think about being angry. Has anyone else thought of this?

Peace,
Sara

Twice have I read your post now, Sara, and twice I have been tempted to reply with some sobering remarks about real life and real problems, but have decided against it. I suggest that you print out what you have written, put it in you diary and read it again in 20 years.

Good luck,

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Sara,

You’re right, to a point. I agree that more music could definitely make the world a nicer place. But peace is much more then enjoyment. Often it’s about self-sacrifice, doing things that don’t come naturally, putting the needs of others above one’s own needs. This is difficult for all of us, and always will be. Peace is so easy to talk about, and so hard to BE. Often people who pursue peace provoke violence, and Jesus says that those who attempt to spread truth will be persecuted.

When it comes right down to it, the only person you can really change is yourself.

God bless–
Tom

“Love is not a feeling–it’s an act of the will.” --Don Fransisco

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[quote]

I think I get what you are saying, but I don’t believe that we be nice to each other mainly because we play the whistle, or because the playing the whistle can make us happy. I feel that there can be a lot of benefits to being nice and thats reason enough. Thats how I see it anyways.

True, we’re nice to each other for other reasons. I guess why I made this board as an example is because I’ve been to other message boards before and no one was nice to each other - they were always arguing. With this board we all have a common hobby and I believe that has a bit to do with why we’re nice to each other.

\

[quote]

I think its going to take a little more than doing things that make us happy everyday to have peace in the world. And that might never happen in my lifetime anyway, as I see it.

Human beings tend to be restless by nature, and an absolutely peaceful world is not everyone’s cup of tea. Conflicts, to a certain extent, make the world more fun to live in too. Moreover, what is considered peaceful - relative to what? Different people, with different backgrounds will have different ideas of what the ideal level of peace is, or even what can be classified as peace.

I think what is more “advantageous” than endlessly yearning for peace on Earth, is peace in oneself.

Yeah, I’ll probably never see world peace, I don’t believe there will ever be world peace. Conflicts can make the world more interesting to live in. I guess if there was total peace everyone would get pretty bored. True, not everyone will have the same idea on what peace truly is. Peace with oneself is very important, and it’s easier to achieve. :slight_smile:

\

[quote]

Well it depends.. the world is filled with very different individuals. Things that make one happy may infringe on another’s happiness. People have different moral standards and that comes into play too. And being angry is not always a “bad thing” when you come to think of it. And sometimes, war isn’t too.

Additionally, if it were not for the experience of the absence of peace who would yearn for the experience of peace?

Thats the end of my rambling. I wrote it out for me as much as for anyone.

Yes, not everyone likes the same things. I guess I’m not really talking about everyone liking the same things. I guess I’m just saying that if people did their own thing, didn’t push upon others and it just made them happy, they’d act nicer to other people. I guess that’s a pretty idealistic thought. I totally agree, anger can be a good thing. I get angry about something just about everyday. I think showing different emotions keeps a person strong and well- balanced. I guess I’m talking on a small scale level too; like, in a town or community. Perhaps not the whole world. I reckon what got me to thinking about this whole thing was like when I go to the store I see people so involved in their lives and little things, that I doubt they ever stop and think to say “How are you?” to a person and really mean it or smile at someone just to be nice.

I’ll reply to the other replies later! :slight_smile:

Sara

[ This Message was edited by: Sara on 2002-02-20 10:51 ]

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Sara,

I guess another thing to think about is that one person’s definition of doing what makes them happy can, at times, result in someone else experiencing hurt/anger/harm. For example, if what makes me happy involves cranking my stereo to full blast when I get home from work at 2am, or stealing from others to feed my drug addiction, or speeding recklessly along the coast highway at 140 km/h, then me doing what makes me happy is definitely going to cause others grief.

Your point, though, is a good one. We DO need to think about making the world more peaceful. Perhaps the other end of the pendulum, in this case, is to choose behaviours that make others happy. Obviously there’s problems there, too. Mike Burke would be a poor man in a hurry if he subscribed to this philosophy. :wink:

I suppose the golden rule is the best course of action…treat others the way you’d like to be treated.

Hey, though, thanks for your insight! If you’re not an optimist in life’s early years, you never will become one later. I know way too many adults who are entirely pessimistic. Not fun.

Jef

Jef

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Sara,
You are talking about whistle magic. It is perfectly obvious to me because I have been enchanted, too. But I’m still a total kid at 42.
Serenity,
Lisa

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Sara,

I agree, if people were playing more music, there would be more peace and less conflict. Music alone, may not be able to fill the world with peace; but, it can and would make it a lot more peacefull.

I think playing an instrument or singing gives the musician, professional or amatuer, a vehicle for self expression. Music allows folks to express feelings that they may not be able to put into words. Folks may not know the cause or the end of the feelings, but expressing them gets them out and clarifies them. It puts them where the ear can hear how they mix and blend with the life around us.

Music also gives us connection. As the inner spark is expressed, say as a melody played, we can connect to others. They may not know the cause; but, still they identify with the feeling and can carry the tune forward. As others add their voice in unison or harmony, the expression becomes something that binds players together in our common humanity. The sense, that we are heard and that we belong, is a powerfull need that can be met in our music. Being tied to the common conditions with folks who share the tune, we find value and strength in the binding. The sharing makes the events that caused the spark in the tune seem less like the end of the world, and more like, just another trip around it.

If your busy building the peace, the war may be allready won.

Sounds to be just another reason to …

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I would reply to each reply personally but I have a feeling that would create a very looooong reply! :slight_smile: So, I’ll say this: thanks for the replies, you guys make a lot of interesting ideas and points. All of which I agree with. I like discussing things like this and I hope you guys didn’t mind me posting this thread, I know it’s not totally on topic. Anyhoo, thanks again.

Peace,
Sara