When I was growing up, every year I’d ask my dad what he wanted for his birthday, and his standard reply was always: “Peace and quiet.” Perhaps it’s a sweeping generalisation, but I think most of us hope for a peaceful life, both at home and at work.

However, there’s a line to be trod; a distinction to be made between making peace and keeping the peace. Peace-making is hard, but it’s honourable and honest. Peacekeeping, ultimately, is destructive and a lie.

Peacemakers, you see, are proactive; peacekeepers are reactive. Peacemakers pull two parties together into balance, while peacekeepers reinforce a power imbalance. Peacemakers build a stronger, more sound structure and peacekeepers simply paper over the cracks.

Peacemakers work from a place of strength and self-confidence. Peacekeepers work from a place of fear and self-doubt.

Which will you be today?