Suffering in the Name of Love is Dumb

"There is much suffering in the world - very much. Material suffering is suffering from hunger, suffering from homelessness, from all kinds of disease, but I still think that the greatest suffering is being lonely, feeling unloved, just having no one. I have come more and more to realize that it is being unwanted that it the worst disease that any human being can ever experience."
-- Mother Teresa

Now I'm not sure how much personal suffering one has to experience before they can say loneliness is the greatest suffering, but if you've been there I suppose there is no need for comparison. It seems there is much upheaval these days, and there is no shortage of perceived suffering on just about every horizon I can see. I received the above quote from an old and dear friend in reply to an earlier post here, and when I read it, I was struck by the thought that the suffering seems to be over. Thanks Mia.

At the same time, there is this knowing. You know?

You know how you just know, and then it is? I do. Hope lingers, even when ignored, and I just know that the dark days of perception tainted by pain are over... or quickly will be :) I can't explain the sudden turn in the air. Maybe the many sunrises I've participated in over the last months have left me with a promise forgotten, that all things are good if I say so. Things are only not that when I say, No.

Don't Just Say No

When I stand and block the gates of love, I am saying no. When I judge any-one including myself I am saying no. When I say no, I am saying I don't care what happens, I'm against it. Saying no to the extent that it causes another to suffer is not only unnecessary, it is unhealthy.

Think. About. It.

Love is the way to peace. Peace is the reason we offer love. Thinking about it is being responsible. Doing something in the name of love can change the world.

Peace -- jb

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

I watched a video clip today that was sent to me by my wife. It made me happy. I was quite moved by it, and I decided to share it for no other apparent reason. Of course, there is this tiny hope in me (it's why I blog) that it might move you... too.

In fact, I began to think that if our world leaders would, for just a moment, let go of their fear-based prejudices towards each other, and watch it, it might not seem so out of the ordinary. It might, instead, serve as a model.

Don't walk, don't talk. Do.

Leaders lead, preachers preach and teachers teach. But as you will see in a moment, lessons on love and acceptance (which are finally on the increase) are apt to be illustrated in most any way, by a variety of characters, in just about any place. This case centers around creatures that have discovered a truth of our existence. I suspect that it will move many of you as it did me.

In a word, the video is refreshing. (Someone took the time to tell the world about it.) It is a simple illustration of possibility. The possibility that we, the human race, might set aside the assumed paradigm of "them" or "other," and embrace the cause of peace through the simple act of acceptance.

And. Be. Open.

Many we see are different than we are in some way, and that my friend is a gift from God. If we were all the same, with the same beliefs, the same looks, the same religion, the same, the same, the same, where would the contrast be? Without contrast, without discussions about how variety really is the spice of life, are we able to appreciate? Can we grow if we aren't offered something new to consider? How many people do you know who want to talk about the prospects of lasting peace?

Peace.

It is not just a buzz word. It is an eternal fire burning in the hearts and minds of many of us across the Earth. Our desire is strong, and we know that there is a coming critical mass. A time when enough people will stop being against things, and start being for things. A sudden awareness by the majority will occur that we really are meant to love one another as we love ourselves. It really does work.

Peace. It is not the buzz of the day. A real peace for the entire world will be realized. How much sweeter that we would enjoy the ride, and get there by choice... so we can get there sooner.

Bzzzzz...

Ok. On the first link, let the commercial pass and enjoy. I added the second one so you can see how these two interact in daily life. May your perspective about life on this planet be filled with images such as these:

1. http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4696315n

2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAN5nf04L2s

Peace and Love. -- jb

I Am An American

We got a new president today. Did you witness Barack Obama's first speech as our Commander in Chief? I did. I wept. Today I am a hopeful and optimistic American.

I Have Hope.

I guess you could say that I felt hopeful today. I felt the glimmer of a much-missed optimism that our new administration will truly be in tune with the hearts and minds of its people. I do not talk about politics. I am neither Republican nor Democrat. I am an American citizen. I support my president, and today I am a proud and peace-filled American.

America Is Good.

One of the reasons I am so excited about our immediate future is because of the positive international response we are receiving as a result of this historic day. I meet bloggers from all over the world, and the consensus is overwhelmingly in favor of our decision to elect this man, Barack Obama. This is good news for our ailing reputation. Today I am a grateful American.

Barack Obama Is Our President.

Where I live, there is an obviousness to people's fear. Some people I know are concerned that we have elected the wrong man for the job; he is too inexperienced, these are very uncertain times, he sounds good but... I smile because I personally believe he is the man he says he is. I trust him today. My gut tells me to. These late bloomers will also feel the light of hope as soon as they let it go, and let him in. Today I am a confident American.

All Is Well.

My prayer for our nation, our president, and our citizens is one of singular focus. It is a wish of childlike innocence. It is a hope that was once only a longing. My prayer is this: May we experience the Peace of God. May we truly be in that peace, live out that peace, and share that peace with all creatures across the earth. We can change the world if we believe that we can. What do you think?

I love you. -- jb

United We Stand

I have a friend who is very politically savvy. He recently shared with me an interesting perspective on the overused terms "conservative" and "liberal." He looked up the definitions of these words in a Webster's Dictionary circa 1988. As he was sharing his findings with me, the most amazing thing happened: I decided to write a post.

It seems that these decidedly divisive words (as we see them used today) had different meanings when they first became "famous." In fact, a conservative used to be one who was simply resistant to the idea of making changes to existing institutions, while a liberal was unbiased, accepting of change, and even catholic (universal) in their view of others. (Look it up) And sadly, as I observed tonight, the definitions have not really changed much, but the way some people now hide their agendas behind these descriptive terms has got to be an unprecedented occurrence.

Now, as you know, I do not like labels. However, there seems to be a sector of our society who are conservative by proclamation and who are actually fearful about the election results to the point of coming across as "freaking out." I've read posts calling on us to pray, "God help us. We are headed for higher taxes and interest rates." Come on, we have simply elected an another American who happens to be a Democrat, and a somewhat unfamiliar African-American Senator (got a problem with that?) And some would have us believe that we are on the brink of disaster? Get a grip!

I beg your pardon, this change is good. And I can say that without calling myself a liberal, a conservative, a Christian, a Muslim, or any other worn out label. It is time for change! As a matter of fact, changing the course of American history at this time is not only welcome, it is long overdue. Republican, Democrat, Preacher or Pimp, all one has to do is look over the last eight years and it is clear to see that the American Dream has been distorted to mean something bad to the rest of the world. It has come to mean greed, apathy, arrogance, and colonialism. I support our new president. He is an American; I am an American, and I share in his dream of creating a more balanced landscape not only for the well being of Americans, but for the rest of the world who count on us to continue that dream. Many are counting on us... Why do you think so many people want to move here? What do you think about that fact?

I don't want to hear another person complain about redistributing wealth either. What were the early Christians attempting to do when they started the Church? They shared everything. Stop quivering in fear. Have you even thought about it?

Think. About. It.

Barack Obama's proposed tax plan is nothing new. It is in essence the same one we had during the Clinton administration, and together we accomplished a balanced budget by our participation via our tax contributions. I think that we should be able to agree that the last eight years have sufficiently upset any balance that might have existed, whether economical, social, or international. Let's quit freaking out and saying that God has forsaken us.

I believe (you are free to disagree) that we have elected the best candidate we could for redirecting our government and restoring trust in the processes that govern the people. We as Americans have the historical privilege of living in the era that will save America for our children and their children. We will be remembered not only for electing, but hopefully supporting the man who made "change" a healthy term once more; one absent of fear, one that brings about hope, and for me personally a feeling of true patriotism. God I have missed that feeling.

Peace for these times, love for our neighbors, and no more thoughts of fear! -- jb

I See a World

I see a land of peace

no. i’m not alone

for the eye that sees

is the I that has won

if we want it to be

then our work’s almost done

it’s the wanting, you see

that will make us all one

i see a world with no lies

only love remains

of course nobody cries

just the sweet scent of rain

falling free on us all

living in peace

is my dream

it’s my destiny’s call

this world is so real

lying just beyond the veil

so long concealed

yet i’m lost in its spell

envision with me

if only for today

people coming together

with peace as their way

i see this place

as sure i know

that love will erase

all memory of foe

beauty and honor

respect, love, and cheer

if you truly believe

then it’s already here

i may be a fool

and this i am sure

will not be the last time

i dip my tongue in the pool

of a love that will last

my vision so near

just want it with me

please, just want it with me

see. now it is here

let it be

that my hope

is not lost on you now

for if our hearts can see it

then peace is here… right now

I wrote this poem because I really and truly believe that world peace, as we see it being defined and attempted by our world leaders, is not possible. There is a fundamental omission of personal responsibility on the individual level. Peace is a personal choice. Right? I can say I desire world peace, but I also scream at my wife, or kick the dog, or curse the other angry driver… Or, I aim my missiles at some other country.

When I decide once and for all that peace starts in my own heart, and I begin to systematically eliminate the actions that promote chaos, I have made my own first step in contributing to peace on a global scale. Pray for peace, but also promote and create peace by doing peaceful things. — jb