Is Peace Possible?

Related Reading:
The Path To Peace
The Path To Peace II
Reflection: 9/11 

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As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect. 

     The truth is that yesterday was the 16th anniversary of the September 11th 2001 terrorist attacks, 9/11. As I looked at the images of the destructions that took place, I thought about if I took myself at this present moment in time, to the day that the actual events took place. I wonder: would I have survived? I question this particularly because of my own reactions to witness the destructions of hurricane Harvey, and also how this disaster has affected communities. I also wondered and continue to question why this attack happened? With all the questions, wonder, and reactions, I also wondered if peace was or is possible.

       I think that September 11th, 2001 has left a scar upon a nation, or even was a turning point for the world. Whilst the American people and the entire nation have fought through, re-built, and have remained strong, the memories, loss, and grievance are not forgotten. I too bear this wound. Similar to that of Hurricane Harvey. The people of Houston, surrounding area, and Texas are strong. I have no doubt that they will re-build and remain strong. However, the long-term effects, or the psychological damages still have to be determined. Will there be memorials? Will there be remembrances? Even though we are strong, and we do have hope, there has been injury, loss to land and human life. 

    I think of these injuries, losses, and terrorist attacks and wonder if peace is possible? Is the vision of a world that strives to work together for the purposes of peace and prosperity possible?
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     I do see glimmers of hope within America itself because of the re-building and uniting. We also saw interfaith communities, including Muslims gathered to commemorate 9/11. These might be small acts, but it is these simple small acts that add, to try to change or improve relations within a nation. These could eventually be transferred at the international level. 

     If countries or even groups within a nation want to work together to pursue a vision of peace and prosperity, then we must be able to think how we can have discussions where there might be conflicting views, but still be able to have a conversation. If anyone is serious about the vision of peace and prosperity, then it is also important to have conversations of difference, yet still carry the vision of peace as a type of binding, so that mutual interests allow for a continued, and not a
dis-continued conversational space. 

     As I take a moment to once again think about injuries such as terrorist attacks, natural disasters, humanitarian crisis, we have to remember that we have reached a point where there is suffering, death, and destruction on all fronts. And with this thought I urge human kind and world leaders to once again think about humanity. In fighting for survival, we are simply destroying. There is no more important time than now, to once again think about the vision for peace.​

Dedication: The words of this being are dedicated to all beings. As we take a moment to reflect on suffering and injuries, we must also re-dedicate to the vision for peace and prosperity. My thoughts to share with love & kindness. 

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand - written on September 12th, 2017.
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