The wisdom of the sages reveals many wonderful things: Spiritual truths are mystical and magical. Spiritual truths are soft and warm. They warm the heart and soothe the soul. Stronger than steel and strengthens the spirit. Peace, the sages say, is created within the heart.
The world, if showered with compassion and wrapped in a blanket of love and kindness, could be a beautiful place for everyone.
'Earth is the place where sacred things happen; this is the only planet where people dream, live, love, and die. Earth, the pale blue dot is the only place in the universe where man witnesses a baby's birth; hears its first cry; and listens to the mother sing a sweet lullaby.'Carl Sagan
What makes a house a home? A home is what we create with our hearts; what’s created inside is the place we want to return to at the end of the day. We need that comfort and safety. We need the warmth we create from our love, our passion, our joy.
What about love? Love has within it a redemptive power. Love, you see, is creative and redemptive, and this is why Jesus says love—love means respect... There’s something about love that builds up creativity. Hate demolishes and leaves desolation, but love recovers and redeems. “Hate is destructive.” Martin Luther King Jr.,
“Should the lamp of religion be obscured, chaos and confusion will ensue, and the lights of fairness, of justice, of tranquility and peace cease to shine. ~ Bahá’u’lláh. Religion should never obscure the light of justice and tranquility.
At no time in history have citizens lived without suspicion, fear, animosity, and greed. Many people believe the strength of their nation lies in the strength of their military. This is not true; the real strength comes from the will of the people.
But some vulgar men have drifted afar: they have shut their eyes and ears. The vulgar men no longer care about others. These men have forgotten what it means to dream; they’ve forgotten their mother, father, neighbor, and lover, too. Forgotten about the soft rain of spring, of young love, of young children running barefoot on the grass on a lazy summer afternoon.
The sages of old foretold of the vulgar men with worldly power, men who are always seeking war.
War --
Putin: The oligarch of the day mingles with others of like mind. He ignores the plight of the people. This oligarch is a vulgar man, a man of extremes and fanaticism. He’s a misfit who menaces the life and liberty of others. He lives in opulence and luxury and dines on rich food that’s served on expense plates. Drought and famine surround him, while children die of hunger and thirst. He ignores facts, the long drought, the famine.
This oligarch lives for war. He made the final decision and called his warlords to meet him in his office. “I’ve made my decision. You will assemble your fighters... The invasion will commence tomorrow at dawn.” “But why? Someone asked. The oligarch glared at the man who dared to question his Decision.
“They are a threat, that's all you need to know,” he said. “The next man who questions me will become my new Janitor.” Without another word, the Oligarch left the room. In silence, the warlords looked at each other; there was nothing to be said. They had their orders, and orders were orders. They left the office to carry them out.
Ukraine: Zelenskyy - The leader of a small country hurriedly put disaster plans in place. They had no time to delay putting a plan into action. They lacked so much. Hours later, the Leaders faced the camera... Finally, someone stepped to the microphone. He had prepared a statement, but the words stuck in his throat. After some time, he said, “The oligarch has sent news … war comes.”
With those words, millions of people began the process of fleeing the city. Where would they be safe? Would they have time to get to safety? But millions stayed... they had to stay and fight. They had to defend their family, their lives, their livelihood, and their country.
Compassion - Love Kindness
The world, if showered with compassion and wrapped in a blanket of love and kindness, could be a beautiful place for everyone. Instead, while sirens blared and rockets exploded, this small country quickly trained citizen volunteer soldiers. Men, women, and young men, if old enough, were quickly trained. Soon, these newly minted citizen soldiers were lying beside older, well-trained soldiers.
The new people wisely listened to the older soldiers. The lives of everyone depend on their remembering the lessons. The old soldier hoped the new ones would be quick learners. Failure to learn meant injury or death. Nervously holding on to their arms, they kept grumbling to themselves. Now they are part of the defense against the raiders. Ready to defend their homeland, their lives, their families, and their homes. It's cold, but they’re clad in warm clothes. But each has a reason - a purpose now. They lived to fight for their family, home, and their way of life. They have a country to defend.
Local people pleaded for help. They were angry, bewildered, and frightened. Sirens blared; an attack is imminent. Tanks rumble, rockets fall -- People have no time to grieve or mourn.
There are cold days and dark days. fearful days. Days of black smoke. Sunny days. Destructive days, rainy days. Sad days. Noisy nights; dreadful nights. Lonely nights. Sleepless nights.
The invaders push deeper into the zone. Another attack is imminent. There will be more brutal street fighting. Danger hides in unexpected places. Everywhere there are signs of death and destruction...
So many frightful sights; grisly sights: hideous sights. Days and nights of absolute turmoil. Utter devastation. Children crying, Mothers crying. Fathers crying.
Many people are praying. Others are cursing. So many broken homes, windows, and broken bones. Shattered dreams. Shattered lives: An angry young man wearing black pants and a jacket tugs at the arm of a young boy. A frightened woman wearing tight black jeans and a pink hat hugs a child. A shoeless youngster wanders the streets. “I want to go home.” A woman holding a rifle asked him. “Where is home?” “The young boy pointed: “It was there...”
Some people are sitting, staring at nothing. - This war is a threat to other nations. The Oligarch's War has redrawn the map. The Oligarch plans a bloody and brutal war.
Street fighting has begun, but during the lulls, protesters come into the streets. Many with homemade signs pleading for help. Other signs tell the oligarch to stop the madness. The oligarchs ignore the signs; they stick to their agenda.
Subways became bomb shelters – they became lost and found centers; a place to pray, to cry, to rant and rave, a place where babies are born, a triage center. A place where people die; a place for bodies.
Raids and explosions are constant; fear, anger, grief, sorrow, and confusion are always present. Then, one afternoon, a raider sees the subway and recognizes it for what it is. He finds his group leader to report his discovery. The leader forwards the information. Hours later, the subway is rubble. A series of bombs turned it into a large burial chamber.
Lasting peace will not be found by dropping bombs or by terrorizing others. Lasting peace will not be established through endless peace treaties. Peace treaties are often broken. Peace treaties do not uncover the real reasons for war.
Real strength lies with the integrity of the people: The world needs acts of kindness, forgiving thoughts, and hope if we are to move mankind closer to the realization of world peace. We need many individuals to draw us closer to the moment when the human family sets the world aglow in a light-filled expression of love and peace.
Otherwise, we will be left with the cruel man who is willing to use his will–his religion, his prejudice, and his wealth-that destroys the rights, liberties, and freedoms of those people they disapproves of or objects to.
Tin Gods:
The little tin gods seek their own devices. They are intolerant people who won’t change their minds, but they surround themselves with like-minded people who feed their egos.
The tin god systems workers deny people their right to exist. They will deny adequate housing and health care. They create stumbling blocks to prevent people from voting. It was the tin gods who dominated systems that treated women as chattel or property. In the past, the tin gods denied women the right to vote and took away their reproductive rights. The tin gods decided that doctors were to remain silent about ways for a woman to prevent pregnancy.
Rachel Wolff - Paper artist...
Rainbow Road Studios
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