Date:   11/12/2003 12:04:02 PM ( 21 y ago)
Hits:   3,263
URL:   https://www.curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=442888

Yes, this is a violent world. Humans have a history of being a violent and destructive species. It is also a peaceful world and humans have the capacity for creating great beauty, great works, and great sacrifices. It's all in how you look at it.

Geology, history, and the present agree that this is a violent planet that we live on. But it is also a peaceful planet and - since cooling after formation - has had eons more peaceful interludes filled with lush life than it has violent upheavals. We can choose to focus on violence and death or we can focus on miracles and life. No matter which you choose, you can find it in abundance here.

No-one needs to tell me about the human capabilites for depravity and violence: I lived on the streets for a while and have more than my fair share of scars, most emotional, some mental and physical. As a pre-schooler, I was sexually abused. My dad taught me self defense early, I was always very athletic, quick and surprisingly strong for my size, but street odds are still against a 5'4" female. I lived for years in armor, never dropping that survival tough attitude, and for the most part being left very well alone by the rest of society. How successful was matching violence with violence, being prepared for the worst at all times?

I ended up in my 30's in AA contemplating the best way to make suicide look accidental so my kids could collect on my life insurance.

There are still times and instances where, if I'm not paying attention or feeling well, those street instincts kick in and I get severely depressed at the insanity and inhumanity of the world. It's a miserable existence. However, if I stay aware, stay grateful, stay forgiving, even the worst that can be thrown at me may shake me, but it doesn't destroy my mind and my soul. For me, it's a conscious decision to choose to look at the positive, to choose to be a positive influence, to choose to help rather than hide, forgive rather than fight. It's not always easy, at times it's damned hard. But I've lived in hell and do not willingly choose to go back.

The Jews were looking for a great war leader to push the Romans out. Jesus came and taught of love. They reacted by partnering with the Romans to kill him. Jesus forgave his executioners. Buddha turned his back on the political jockeying for prominence just to live in the moment with all his worldly possessions in knapsack. Christianity and Buddhism are now among the major world religions. Ghandhi risked everything to teach his people a better path to freedom. India is no longer a colony under the British yoke. The point is not that India still has political problems or all Christians aren't Christ like, the point is that simple acts of peace and love can and do change the world.

Ghandhi sat down by the tracks. Buddha sat under a tree. Jesus sat on a hill. Today, I think I'll just sit here with my cup of tea and love the world the best I can. I'm in some pretty fantastic company.



 

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