The Path To Peace II As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, blessings, and peace. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect. The truth is that these words have been taking a rest. Yet, the need to share them has finally arrived. As I take a moment, I reflect upon my previous thoughts, which were posted on September 11th 2016. These thoughts were taking a time to honor the hero's of the terrorist attacks that took place in New York - The Twin Towers and also The Pentagon - Washington DC. These thoughts were also asking the question: How can we as a nation, society, and world heal from wounds, with a sense of honoring that also incorporates remembrance. As I reflect, I think that maybe there was some insensitivity upon my part to post divergent thoughts especially on the day of 9/11 anniversary. However, I was deeply anxious, full of tension. Watching National Football Players kneel down before an anthem, prior to 9/11 (and also on the day of) made me think about the deep tensions that are taking place within a nation. For individuals to kneel, during an anthem especially, in the realm of a public sphere where there will be publicity - highlighted, that these players are symbolic of a protest. Protesting a deep dis - satisfaction with a nation. These could be due to the shootings that take place and continue to take place. August recorded the bloodiest month for Chicago where there were at least 400 people shot and 72 homicides. These statistics are deeply shocking and disturbing. These shootings continue in other states. For me it was not just the tensions that were conveyed through the kneeling of the flag / anthem protests. It was also the death of Greta Friedman that took place a day before the remembrance day of 9/11. It was deeply upsetting, because it happened before the anniversary of 9/11, and also because the photograph itself had a deep personal connection. By all means, the words that I wrote in my previous thoughts do still hold true today. It is with these words I hope to clarify to my readers if there was any feeling of insensitivity conveyed. Nothing can substitute the loss of a loved one. If we as a nation can stand united, in solidarity for the remembrance of the losses on one day, because of the terrorist attacks that took place by foreigners. Then what about the bloodshed, hate crimes, or violence that is taking part inside a nation? Why can't we put a stop to these? Why can we not all stand united to the hatred, and "terrorism" that is taking place in America? As a nation we really have to think deeper. What are the values that the United States of America stands for? Are these values being upheld today? If they are so - then why are we seeing protests such as the kneeling of the anthem? I think that it is really a time for Government to put their differences aside, and take moments to reflect. Are you putting your own interests before the good of the people? To touch upon my thoughts with regards to Eid - Ul Adha, also known as the sacrificial Eid, that marks the completion of the Hajj pilgrimage. This day also took place on the anniversary of 9/11. This to me really did invite the thought: The greatest sacrifice of Abraham fell upon the greatest sacrifice of the American people. This was of great spiritual significance. Abraham known as a prophet in the Islamic tradition and a forefather. also integral to the Christian and Jewish faith. Abraham's sacrifice signified the need to try to take steps to renew and rebuild relations through the idea of sacrifice. As human beings we are always so entrenched in the idea of "how can I benefit from this? or what will I get out of this?" When we work from the mindset of "what can I give?" How can I give - do my small part to benefit others, we free ourselves from attachment. Also it is important to remember that we should not get so caught up in religious ideologies that we forget that we are all human beings. Sacrifice is not just on the day of Eid, or any other day. It is a small constant act. It is not called upon special people. It is called upon everyone, at any level, or any position. Even a simple smile. My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :) Dedication: The words of this being are dedicated to all beings. They invite a question, invite your thinking? Do we need all this bloodshed? If foreign terrorism can spur so much hate, then what about what is happening within a nation? Is it not time to unite not just on one day, but everyday? Notes: These thoughts were originally hand - written on September 21st 2016 Image 1 - Web Link Image 2 - Web link Image 3 - Web link Image 4 - Web link
1 Comment
3/25/2020 10:42:55 pm
Peace is what we all want and to achieve that means that we should make some sacrifices so that this goal will be achieved. It may sound a little weird, but I know that there will be a great outcome as we try our best to comply to the different casualties that we needed to understand. Let us read this blog again and try to make a new beginning out of this post. It will be a life changing experience.
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