Day 61 - Chris Houston

Dear friends,

When I think about peace, I do not think of silence or the absence of war. I think of people showing up for one another. I think of community.

The recent outbreak of new wars, alongside rising polarization, deep inequality, and environmental destruction, fills me with fear. Yet alongside that fear, I have felt something else growing - hope.

I was born in a peaceful county, that good fortune plus a lot of privilege allowed me to choose a career in humanitarian work. That path has taken me to many places in the world, invariable at moments of crises.

I have seen disease outbreaks, war, and famine. Some of those experiences have stayed with me in difficult ways. But what has stayed even more strongly is how people respond.

Again and again, I have seen people help one another. I have seen those on opposite sides of conflict pause to face a shared disaster. I have seen people leave their own work to mediate peace. The news often highlights division because it is unusual. What I have seen is that, much more often than not, people choose to stand together.

Early in my career, someone told me: when the problem feels as large as a mountain, pick a spot, grab a shovel, and start digging. Since I was taught that simple lesson, I’ve added my own bit to the quote - that when one person begins, others will often join in.

Recently, I have been taught this lesson again at home. Three years ago, a small group of us set out to build something we called the Canadian Peace Museum. It felt like a long and uncertain journey.

Then something unexpected happened - we were given a building, not by a government or a corporate donor, but from our neighbours. The Canadian Peace Museum is the proud and grateful owner of 8,000 square feet of premises that we are renovating.

Now, there is work to do. Turning a former industrial building into a museum will take time, money and labour. So we started the big task. And people saw us doing that, and they turned up and joined in.  

This has reminded me of something simple, and deeply important: people want to help one another. In a time when much around us feels uncertain, this is what gives me hope.

In peace, 

​Chris Houston
Bancroft, Ontario