By Lois Requist 

Noting when this column would be published, I thought, write something connected to Christmas, the holidays, but what could I say that hasn’t been said? We pass around good wishes, listen to the sentiments of those whose opinions are broadcast, however, if we also listen to the news, none of it has much to do with peace on earth. Quite the opposite.
I’m not going to announce something marvelous here that you don’t know about, but I will offer a perspective. I’ve been hearing prayers and wishes for peace on earth about as long as I’ve been on it. Hasn’t happened. In fact, it often seems less likely, in a world of terrorist attacks, political division, and angry people.
But, wait. The truth is more diverse and complicated. I live in Benicia, where things are pretty peaceful. Just sayin’. I’ve lived in Idaho and California all of my life, and for the most part, things have been fairly peaceful. Well, I can hear someone say, isn’t that nice for you? How about the rest of us? Everyone’s story is different. Indeed, some have had a great deal of trauma through the years.
First, we should realize that the news isn’t a random sampling of what’s happening in the world. It’s everything that’s gone haywire! The old journalism saw, if it bleeds, it leads, is true now as much as ever. Now, it just gets repeated, retold, rewritten 24/7 in so many places that it overwhelms us if we let it.
It’s a little bit like growing old. I’ve heard how awful it is. “It’s not for sissies.” “It’s all downhill from here.” For some, old age is a traumatic and difficult time. (For some, being a teenager is challenging!) Life certainly doesn’t hand out struggles evenly or by age. And, in the end, we all die. But, what do we do until then?
You knew I’d start talking about Carquinez Village eventually, didn’t you? Well, here we are. The village’s purpose is to connect, support, and inspire seniors—in short, to create a community that makes old age as good as it can be.
The village may help us have peace of mind, that “peace” word again. Less to worry about. More people to offer a helping hand. As more people mature, and maturing is a separate matter from aging, we may begin to see ourselves and the world for what it is. Not all bad. Not all good.
If we can be comfortable with ourselves, and gain some reasonable perspective on the world, engaging where we can to make it better, doing no harm, we may, in fact, contribute to peace in the world.
I don’t expect a day when throughout the world there is no war, no poverty, no violence. However, as a mature person, I can bring peace to my surroundings, to those I encounter, and I can try to influence my government toward positive moves for the good of all the people. Okay, so that’s a tough one.
The Gates Foundation thinks they can end hunger throughout the world in the next couple of decades. Wow! What a goal. They’re making headway.
I predict that nationally the village movement will make many revise their attitude and beliefs about aging. I hope society as a whole will prize mature people for their wisdom. For you and yours, I wish you peace inside yourselves and with the world in the coming year.
Information about Carquinez Village is available online at carquinezvillage.com or by calling 707-297-2472. We’re here to help.

Sharing is caring!