Monday, June 13, 2016

Needless Hate Needs Love

So many needless things are in the news today.  Someone opens fire.  Someone sets off a bomb.  Someone shoots someone signing autographs.  Why?  I think it comes down to three possibilities.

His dog told him to.
His god told him to.
His hate told him to.

Dogs and gods are fine but hatred can twist them both.  These perpetrators are either insane, zealots, or hate has twisted their thinking.  There is far too much hatred in this world we live in today; both casual and black tie.  It’s in our elections, it’s in full display on social medial & TV, and it is, certainly in our headlines. 

What can be done?  What can we do to change things?  What can I do?

Perhaps, I can start with me.  Gandhi said, “You must be the change that you want to see in the world”, Jesus said, “Do unto others at you would have done unto you”, and the Beatles wrote, “All you need is love, love. Love is all you need.”  …Imagine that. 

The world will push back.  If you notice Gandhi, Jesus, and John Lennon were all killed for spreading that simple message.  It is a dark and fractured world.  Be the light.  It is a dark place – make it better.  Even if we have to step out of our comfort zone.  Do it.  When little things are multiplied they become great.  Wouldn’t it be great if we were kinder, if we were not so insular and started considering others?  Hey, what if we started to love one another? 

Yeah, Imagine that.

Be the light.  Reject this ‘new normal’ of cycling violence.  We need to do better. 

We must.