Let me be a force of peace.

I would like my life to be a statement of love and compassion -- and where it isn't, that's where  my work lies. -- Ram Dass. 

Words to live by. It is easy to show love and compassion to those we can relate to and whom we love and care for. In order to create a world of peace and love though, we must show love and compassion to all those we meet, even those we do not know or what we cannot see eye to eye with. 
This is not to say that anyone should let people walk all over them. It is important to stand up for what you believe in and to ensure that you too are treated with love and compassion. This is to say though, that it is important to take a moment to reflect upon our words before voicing them and to consider the ripple effect of our energy, actions and words. The world is in great need of love and compassion and we have the power to be a force of just that, love and compassion. 
At the end of my father's church services every Sunday, he says to the congregation, as he thanks the acolyte for "bringing the light of Christ in and through our sanctuary that morning", that we are to "Be the light in a world in desperate need of light". I love that call to action that my father gives. It is a call of love, of peace, and hope for a better tomorrow. We can all be a part of this, the creation of a more peaceful and loving tomorrow, if we put in the work to add love and compassion to our words, thoughts, and actions where it does not yet lie. 
In the words of Harry Connick Jr. --

Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be
With God as our father
Brothers all are we
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony

Let it begin with each one of us. Let it begin in our own hearts, where it can then extend outward into our homes, our neighborhoods, our counties, our state, our country, and the world... each action like a stone thrown in the water, altering the surface and creating a ripple of effect of change, in the name of love and compassion.