Matthew (fourth from right) at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, Israel.
In his first blog post, new Communications and Development Intern, Matthew Agar, explains how he aims to live a life in the service of peace as part of PeacePlayers International. Matthew is a junior in American University’s School of International Service in Washington, DC.
The famous rock n’ roller John Lennon once eloquently said, “Imagine all the people living life in peace”. When John sang these words, he dreamed of a world without divisions; he envisioned for a world without borders; he yearned for an end to religious, ethnic, and national strife, and he flirted with the possibility of a world without material possessions. John Lennon spent most of the last few years of his life imagining such a world. I want to make it.
My name is Matthew Agar. I am a 20-year old American Jew from Old Bethpage, New York. I study International Studies, Arabic Language, and Economics at American University in Washington, DC. In my studies, I focus on Peace and Conflict Resolution and the Middle East. While my academic experience seems to be enough information to know I am in the business of peace, what I do outside the classroom shows that I am also living life for peace.
Matthew in front of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC.
So, what does it mean to live life for peace? Living life for peace has three parts: being at peace with the world, living life in peace with the world, and giving life to peace in the world. Each part holds a special place in my psyche that provides meaning to the work I do inside and outside of PeacePlayers.
First, in order to be at peace with the world, I need to help others. As the new Communications and Development Intern at PeacePlayers International, I feel I am doing my part in healing the wounds of the world (Tikkun Olam in Hebrew) one small step at a time. Sure, the work is not glamorous, but it goes a long way to helping PeacePlayers transform the lives of individuals for the better around the world.
Second, in order to live in peace with the world, I need to work towards bridging the divides that separate me from others. Within PeacePlayers, it means supporting the building of connections between different races and religions in Northern Ireland, South Africa, Cyprus and the Middle East. Beyond PeacePlayers, it means unleashing peoples’ inner angels through interfaith dialogue as Chief Operations Officer of the non-governmental organization International Peace Quest Institute. The constant piece of my work with both organizations is the need to forgive, forget, and unite with past enemies.
Third, in order to give life to peace in the world, I need to have fun. In my spare time, I have fun by playing basketball, practicing boxing, singing, and writing poetry. One of the most fun jobs I have ever had is in my current role as an after-care counselor for Janney Elementary School in Washington, DC. I get to play games and sports with young children and my co-workers; what is more fun than that! Judging by the fun, witty banter of Adam, Taylor, and Gunnar at PeacePlayers Headquarters my first week as an intern, I can already tell that this opportunity will be my coolest gig yet.
PeacePlayers is all about fun.
