imagine peace

yin and yang 78

If we cannot imagine humans coexisting in peace, it will never happen. Imagination is everything. Everything begins with imagination. All that humans have endeavored, all that we have achieved...toilets, tissue paper, food preservation, vaccination against deadly illness, prosthetic limbs, skin grafts, surgical repair of cleft palates, music, books, movies...it all begins with an idea brought to fruition through the power of imagination. 

The Middle East has been in conflict since Abraham chose his second born son over his first. Seriously. Thousands of years ago, a man favored one human being over another, and we still have to live with the resentment today. Why? 

Peace happens like a domino effect. One by one, we imagine that we can live side by side with people with whom we disagree. I do it every single day. Every day I see a hideous Trump flag next door. And every day I ignore it. I say nothing to the woman who raised it. Do you know why she raised it? She feels vulnerable. She is alone, frail, and our community has had a series of burglaries by people who are too poor and far too broken to pull themselves up. They are stealing bicycles and anything they can sell to feed themselves. 

Norway does not have such impoverished citizens. Norway is a democracy with a monarch and they have a culture of people who do not object to taking care of those who are incapable of keeping a roof over their heads. Norwegians do not hate the weak. Norwegians are not fascist. 

What was the riot on January 6, 2021, about? Honestly, what was that? Clearly, it was not a tour of the capitol. It was not a peaceful protest. It was treachery, plain and ugly in broad daylight. It was utter ignorance and hypocrisy. It was shameful. 

Yet, I will not commit hateful actions. I avoid fools. I have read the ancient proverbs about fools hating wisdom, about the futility of correcting or advising fools. Then what do we do about fools and foolishness? Good question. 

I prefer enlightenment by example. I quietly demonstrate living in peace. My zen is on display.

Actions speak louder than words. Imagine peace. Live it. Domino effect. Have a nice day.

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