Peace is the opposite of dreaming. It’s built slowly and surely through brutal compromises and tiny victories that you don’t even see. It’s a messy business, bringing peace into the world.
Bono, musician & co-founder of Product (RED) and ONE
Peace is a concept that is often romanticized and idealized as a state of being that can be achieved through grand gestures and lofty ideals. However, as the quote “Peace is the opposite of dreaming. It’s built slowly and surely through brutal compromises and tiny victories that you don’t even see. It’s a messy business, bringing peace into the world.” suggests, the reality of building peace is far more complex and difficult than many people realize. In this article, we will explore the meaning of this quote and the various subheadings that help to unpack its message.
The Opposite of Dreaming
The quote begins by stating that peace is the opposite of dreaming. This implies that peace is not a passive state that can be achieved simply by hoping or wishing for it. Rather, it is an active process that requires hard work, sacrifice, and a willingness to compromise. Peace cannot be achieved through idealism or wishful thinking, but through the gritty reality of negotiating with opposing factions and finding common ground.
Built Slowly and Surely
The quote goes on to describe how peace is built slowly and surely. This highlights the fact that peace is not a quick fix or a one-time event. It is a long-term process that requires sustained effort and commitment. Building peace involves a multitude of small steps and decisions that accumulate over time, leading to the eventual achievement of a peaceful state.
Through Brutal Compromises
Another important aspect of building peace, according to the quote, is the necessity of making brutal compromises. This can be a difficult pill to swallow for many people who believe that peace can be achieved through standing firm on their principles and refusing to back down. However, the reality is that achieving peace often requires both sides to give up something in order to reach a mutually acceptable solution. This can be painful and emotionally challenging, but it is a necessary part of the process.
Tiny Victories You Don’t Even See
The quote also notes that building peace involves tiny victories that may not be immediately apparent. This is a reminder that progress towards peace is often slow and incremental, and that it can be easy to become discouraged or disheartened by the lack of visible progress. However, even small victories can add up over time, and it is important to recognize and celebrate these accomplishments along the way.
A Messy Business
Finally, the quote acknowledges that bringing peace into the world is a messy business. This is a recognition that the process of building peace can be fraught with conflict, uncertainty, and setbacks. It is not a linear process, but rather one that involves many twists and turns along the way. However, despite the messiness of the process, the ultimate goal of achieving peace is one that is worth pursuing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the quote “Peace is the opposite of dreaming. It’s built slowly and surely through brutal compromises and tiny victories that you don’t even see. It’s a messy business, bringing peace into the world.” provides a powerful reminder that building peace is a difficult and complex process. It requires sustained effort, a willingness to compromise, and a recognition of the messy and unpredictable nature of the process. However, despite the challenges, the pursuit of peace is a noble and necessary goal that is worth pursuing.
