Shalom

Everyday, the English language is spoken in thousands of different dialects through hundreds of different forms, from text-messaging to formal speeches. A language of business, English can be quite articulate in financial transactions. However, English like any other language has its limitations.

Many of you may know some of these. There are four different ways to say the word love in Greek, and they all have different connotations.

eros (romantic)

storge (family affection)

philia (friendship)

agape (unconditional)

---CS Lewis The Four Loves

In English, a person may say "I love you" with such powerful emotion and conviction, then, five minutes later, say "I love pizza". Is that person using the word love the same way? I sure hope not! No wonder English-speakers are so emotionally confused!

I think the word peace is the same way. Not that it is used ridiculously out-of-context to the same degree as love, but English cannot grasp peace deep enough.

In Hebrew, the word shalom is used instead (In Arabic it is salaam). Again, maybe many of you have heard this word before. But shalom was used as a greeting and a goodbye, meaning the whole phrase, "May peace be with you".

In every aspect of life. Shalom in every part of yourself, external and internal. It is a complete peace, a deeper interpretation. Nothing is left out. "May peace be with you, stand beside you, reside within you, motivate all your actions."

Recently, I've begun thinking about far this may go. Modern science is beginning to find a huge connection between the cells, molecules, and atoms that reside in and around us, to the thoughts and emotions we think and feel. Literally, what happens at the atomic, and sub-atomic level effects everything else.

What happens if shalom is brought to the minuscule parts of life? Will the small change effect a big change?

I am a small person in a big world. I have a hard time finding my place sometimes. This world is so large, and cares so little about me. I am one atom in a sea of many. I am running around, reacting, changing, bonding, charging, separating, building, deconstructing my world, trying to give it shalom, when it seems to be going haywire.

But I am only atom. I guess I need peace, too. If I want this living organism called Earth to be one of shalom, I need to find it in myself first. English cannot grasp how hard this is sometimes. That is why I hope this blog, with its trendy, clever name, might help me find it.