These times when there is so much hatred in the world
I am grateful for the words of Maya Angelou
which always help me cope:
Love recognizes no barriers.
It jumps hurdles, leaps fences,
penetrates walls to arrive at its destination
full of destination…
full of hope.
Now more than ever we need to be reminded
In a world where evil is competing every day with joy:
We are here to heal, not to harm.
We are here to love, not to hate.
We are here to create, not to destroy
It is my goal to write in a soft voice of love and friendship and peace…
of acceptance and family
of honesty kindness and courage…of compassion and empathy…
This is my intention…when my fingers rest upon my computer keys…
but some days I find this difficult to do
when distracted by all the evil in the world I see.
I find my mind is filled with sadness, hopelessness and doubt…
which is the opposite of all the things I want to write about.
So every now and then my writings on love and kindness
and compassion I suspend…
to share my thoughts and protests on these evils
hoping in some small way it will help…to make these evils end.
Adding one more voice…one more protest
one more comment…one more critique…
to the other voices already out there…
who are already courageous enough to speak…
Knowing now is not the time to remain silent…
if this battle is to be won…
now is not the time for our united voice…
to be reduced even by one.
When the voices of evil are strongest (and I believe they are!)
the voices for good must be stronger yet…
because in order to defeat these evils
we need all the voices we can get.
So I will do my best to continue write in a soft voice for love…
for compassion, for friendship and family…
While at the same time raising my voice loudly in protest…
to cruelty, oppression, abuse and tyranny.
I’ll keep looking for love, acceptance, generosity friendship and family
In the world…which, happily, is still widespread
While unafraid to face the evils of prejudice and hatred
every time they rear their ugly head
When surrounded by the horrors of our hatred
I am grateful for those who have the ability to find…
In the midst of the most difficult of situations….
the courage to be kind.
This morning when you’re thinking about exactly how to dress
as the world searches for ways to make hatred and violence cease
may you clothe yourself in kindness…
in compassion, humility
and peace.
Knowing life is fleeting…may we always be prepared
to make the most of every moment with another person…
every moment shared.
Understanding how blessed we are…how lucky
In a world so vast and wide…
for that stranger, that friend or family member
standing by our side…
And hoping in that moment
we both come away inspired…
knowing the kindness we just showed each other
was all that either of us desired.
I am grateful for understanding Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s advice
Which I offer to you with my affection:
“Love does not consist of gazing at each other
but in looking outward together in the same direction.
