279) The cost of feeding the dogs of war (and the utter imbecility of the decision-makers behind it)
Imagine that you wanted to personally fund a $10 billion [war], and you make, say, $80,000 per year. You would have needed to start working ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND YEARS AGO, about 60,000 years BEFORE stone-tool-using Homo sapiens were interbreeding with Neanderthals, and you would have had to save every single penny.
216) Having a great summer weekend
How do we live with this dissonance?
How do we have “good weekends” with a heart-at-peace, knowing our fellow humans are being exterminated as if they are vermin?
170) Hallowe'en, Ancestors, and War: One small way you can take action
For Hallowe’en this year, I decided to start a new tradition, in the spirit of Dia de los Muertos, a personal ritual of honouring my ancestors at midnight tonight, and welcoming them back into my life. I am humbled at their sacrifice and strength, and I am proud to have done my part in breaking the cycles of trauma, violence, and more trauma that result from such horrific experiences as war.
117) Moral hypocrisy and the consequent impossibility of lasting international peace
Do we really believe, as a society, in a system of morality in which we get do precisely what we deny to others, because we are convinced of our moral superiority? Can “we” kill but “they” can’t, because we simply believe “we are Good, and they are Evil?”
And this will lead to lasting peace…how?
99) From the River to the Sea
These are people whose families and communities are, right now, experiencing practically unimaginable terror and violence. Their future is a question mark. And their people have lived as literal prisoners, for 3/4 of a century. That’s three generations, an entire human lifetime, birth to old age, imprisoned.
And they feel joy. Along with rage, fear, and no doubt often hopelessness.
I don’t have words to describe what that feels like, to encounter that depth of love, community, sharing and openness. It’s….Well, straight-up, it’s one of the most absolutely beautiful experiences I have had in my 49 years on this planet as my current incarnation.
So, to my brothers and sisters, thank you. You collectively inspired me and touched my heart tonight. I will raise my voice with you, anytime, “From the river to the sea…”