Unity and Relief

By: Libby

I was flying through Atlanta last March, and got stuck in the airport. For any of you who have experienced the Greater Atlanta airport, you know the experience. I happened to be sharing a corner with a British couple that was raptly watching the CNN blaring overhead. They started a friendly conversation with me about our politics. Is America ready for this or that, what was “our” view of things? I considered the question. What do “we” want from our government? Hmm, difficult to say. I was thinking that at this point in time, it’s ironic that we even call ourselves the “United States.” It seems that no matter what your company, you are either one of “us”, or one of “them”. Red state, blue state, conservative, liberal. There is so much discord, it’s hard to come up with a good answer.

We do claim to be united, when it comes to national anthems and patriotism. We hang our flags, put the yellow ribbons on our cars. What does that really do for your neighbor? How does that truly unite us? Many people seem to be more passionate about a sports team that they truly have about the welfare of their nation, and subsequently their world. What if we were loyal to each other, rather than to a system? The system doesn’t seem to be helping any of us completely. Mark Twain said that “Loyalty to my country always, loyalty to the government when it deserves it.”

I do have hope for this common ground of loyalty and dedication to each other. We have a courageous past. I am proud to say I am born of such mighty grounds. What I see now are not just faces shopping, empty and searching for something to fill them, or people plugged in every night to their glowing drug. I see a land of awakening potential. Americans will start to examine their hearts and minds and move beyond the trivial same old worry and dream about a new future. There is much to be desired. We have far to many broken spirits about.

If we want the world to be a better place we must realize first that we are part of it. We do not really exist in that bubble between where I live and where I have to go. This country and the world is a big, beautiful place, with more than enough room for our diversity. We have the privilege of being a witness to the magnitude and grace of the world and it’s inhabitants. That also comes with an awesome responsibility to each other. We must focus our attention on our collective evolution. There is nothing in the past that will help us, only the steady gaze of what’s ahead. We can choose to imagine, and subsequently create a world of peace and prosperity for all.

It all starts with the individual. If you want peace, practice being peaceful to yourself. Be peaceful to the guy that just cut you off. Move in waves of tolerance, grace, and kindness. Be the example. Anger, hate, and fighting only leads to more of the same, whether that is internal, with our families, or with our nation. Fear of terrorism and the shattered economy only leads to an acceleration of those events. Focus on your personal relief from the madness. Feel the relief of those who were suffering, and now are healed. Feel the relief of everyone working, and all of us having enough money.

My advice to you is to turn off your TV. How much you really need it? Maybe you know more about Brittney Spears than you know about yourself. (And isn’t that a sad state of affairs?) This new found time and focus will allow you to find your voice and remember who you truly are. You were a child once, full of hope. The world offered you sunshine and you took it. Take it again. Take time to ponder what would you rather have in your life? Be still and imagine this new version of yourself, our country and world. Once you are in tune with this vision, make your political, ecological, and consumer decisions based on this new vision. If everyone took time to align themselves, we would find a shared dream: where we all purse our individual passions in a substantial way that protects our delicate balance of ecology, economy, and personal happiness.

Yours truly,
Libby