A Renunciation, And An Invitation...

Ganesha shared with me a very moving essay written by a 70 year old war veteran. He spoke so eloquently about the tragedy of all war in hindsight, and in particular remembering on Memorial Day, not only the US soldiers who died, but all the men, women and children, the bystanders as well. Truly, no war seems to have been worth its cost in terms of lost lives.

I look back upon all of my own "wars" and find them equally wanting in terms of cost vs worth, even though I was "right." (Which, of course, just like you, I always am. ) But, invariably, when the dust has settled, I wish I hadn't fought.

I would like to make a renunciation of war here at PC today, and invite others to join me. Use your reply button to "enlist." lol.

I'm reminded of some poignant words by others before me. To paraphrase John and Yoko:

War is over,
if you want it.
If you want it,
war is over;
war is over
now.

I want it, with all my heart. How 'bout you?

I throw down my sword on the anvil of love and there I now hammer it into the more suitable ploughshare. And with it, I return to the fertile ground of Creative Corner, where I see love sprout, grow and blossom in all its transformative glory.

"I ain't gonna study war no more."

Join me.

Happy Memorial Day!

sqrl

Me signing a peace treaty

Ditto

I'm gonna lay down my sword and shield
down by the river side
down by the river side
down by the river side
I'm gonna lay down my sword and shield
down by the river side
down by the river side
aint gonna study war no more

peace treaty

ganesha

Didn't know I was in a war, but signing the peace treaty anyway, let us find love and caring

Angie

Without justice there can be little peace expected, is simply a fact.

Bullying behaviors don't go away by ignoring them, they have a nasty tendency to increase and become habitually accepted.

Sign me up!

downsolong
>they have a nasty tendency to increase and become habitually accepted

well isn't that the truth...
I am stunned by the blistering truth of that.
g.

That is a stark truth indeed.

But what is justice? Is it catharsis? Is it real? Is it something that can be achieved through war? Or is it one more illusory concept we carry and employ primarily for the "justification" of more war?

I don't pretend to know the answers to these questions, but that very "ignorance" informs me nevertheless.

Each of us is probably wired differently. For myself, I found that even though I am passionately supportive of the anti war movement and the protests and demonstrations associated with it, I am unable to be in the streets about it without becoming exactly what I protest against, another a*shole with violence in his heart. The same thing happens to me here, when I jump up to fight the righteous fight, my righteousness evaporates in the heat of battle, and soon the casualties are mounting.

I'm all for working for peace, working for justice, doing what I can to foster a better environment in which all have the opportunity to flourish. But the challenge of maintaining mindfulness while the battle rages is too much for me.

It's going to be different for everyone, what that best expression of effort toward creating a better world is, but if I'm trading blows with someone, I'm pretty sure I've lost the plot at that point.

Thank you all for considering the idea, and trying to find your own balance in the strife.

I don't believe in "bad people." Not here. Bad habits, bad ideas, bad illness, maybe, but not bad people.

Bob Marley:

"Let's get together and feel alright."

Is it that hard?

sqrl.

Oh thank you, thank you, wise squirrel! I think PsychCentral now has a lovely theme song! It's perfect.

em

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to stand by and do nothing.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

It's probably all in perception... or most of it, anyway. What some perceive as "bullying," others perceive as simply rules for the best of the community.

Example: The city I live in says it's within their "rules" that it is safe to have a fire in your back yard as long as it is contained with a screen and a top. However, in the mobile home park I live in, the owners and management have decided that it is not safe. Therefore, while it is okay in other parts of the city, it is NOT okay withing this park.

The fire department of the city told us that their laws can and will be pre-empted by the rules and regulations of certain communities like this mobile home park and we have to abide by them. Bullying? Yes, I perceive it to be, but nevertheless, we need to abide by the "rules and regs" if we want to keep living here.

The same goes for this site. It is owned by one person and he has the right AND responsibility to keep us "safe" as he perceives it. When I signed on as a member here, I agreed to abide by his guidelines. That's what you agree to when you sign on as a member.

What was it that we are agreeing to renounce??

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Truly, no war seems to have been worth its cost in terms of lost lives.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post"> Is what I focussed on... and disagree with. It is sad that anyone needs to give their life for a cause...

I got lost in this thread, but I want to chime in with agreement of what September eloquently stated.

Thanks, Sarah!