The practicalism of peace

The other day, I both finished the book Three Cups of Tea and watched the movie Funny Face. I realized that the two had similar themes. (Ok, a stretch, but hear me out if you so desire)


In the movie, Audrey Hepburn's character is a book shop girl and budding intellectual (and then model) who harps on the concept of 'practicalism: peace through understanding' throughout the movie.

The first half of the movie was mind-blowing eye candy: New York, Paris, lots of pink and glamour, what's not to love?! However, by the end I was finished with all of the themes of or related to "about face"...the lack of depth of conventional beauty, the lame songs, even to the fact that technically, (spoiler) she and Fred Astaire don't get married (although it's implied).

Plus, Audrey's acting and singing were really bad...like "make it stop!" bad. yikes.

My point is, that while practicalism was preached in a very face-value of a movie, it can also be understood in, well, more noble ways... like in Three Cups of Tea.



Many complain that charity work is largely motivated by face value...people trying to advance themselves socially, politically or personally.

But Mortenson's story of an innately radical sense of altruism to build schools for women and girls in Pakistan is overwhelming: the scope of what is accomplished far outweighs even the grand effort, and for this, I salute him with deep respect.


Really, education and understanding is our only way to world peace.
And it's disappointing that many do not see this as a natural, 'practical' solution.