It has been a very long time since I’ve written a post. With two young children free time is non-existent and domestic life takes over.
Recent events such as the terrorist attacks in Paris, and frankly, all over the world have been on my mind and I wanted to write something.
On the social media sites one sees opinions of all stripes. People talk about the refugees as though they are to be feared, and out of fear they get angry and want to shut borders. There are many arguments in favor of both sides – well written – and it is at this time some guidance is necessary.
I find it is most effective to go to a source that influences most of humanity which is religion and seeing as I’m most familiar with the Christian faith I have a verse ready.
“‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than this.”
If religion isn’t your thing then I’d like to offer a wonderful verse from the Black Eyed Peas.
“But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you’re bound to get irate, yeahMadness is what you demonstrate
The Black Eyed Peas
And that’s exactly how anger works and operates
Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y’all, y’all
There is only one way out of this and that is to love everyone. To love everyone is something we as human beings have a very hard time doing. We are worried that that our way of life will change, we worry that violence will ensue in our own borders, we worry that the values we hold dear will be diluted.
None of this drama will end until we learn to love everyone and to turn the other cheek. Instead, the media and governments always want to attack. We must ask ourselves how terrorists came to be that way and honestly address it. Does anyone really want to blow themselves up if they do not think they have been seriously aggrieved? Would a terrorist” really prefer to blow themselves up instead of raising a family and sending their children to school?
The media fails to address the causes of terrorism and only focuses on the results. We focus on the details and not the overall solution which has already been provided to us by great prophets/wise men and women.
Love is the solution: if there were more love in the world instead of a quest for money and power we would find peace. Fighting is not the answer. Work for justice and peace will follow. Or as Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” This would solve all problems.
Bring the love back, because the opposite is too tough to bear for any human being.
