I am writing this on Monday morning after the 6-12-16 Orlando shooting.
I am sick and sad of hate, guns, blood, tears, police sirens, pain, panic, and chaos. STOP.
Please, STOP!
This killing in our great country makes me want to get on the roof and scream, at the top of my lungs, STOP, just STOP.
Following is a poem I wrote several years ago, but it is still relevant; it puts blame and hope where it belongs – in ME…and YOU.
We cannot continue to pass the buck and point a finger.
If we each make the space we occupy more loving and peaceful, kindness and goodness will grow.
Peace begins with ME
“Peace begins in all of us,
“Each of us, I say.
“Not just he or she or them,
“But, me and you – today.
“If I could really learn to love
“Myself and who I am.
“Then gifts of peace and kindness
“Would flow from me – to you – to them.
“If you would do the same, you see
“Plus – he and she and them.
“Just imagine how our world could change.
“And it all began with me – not them.”
Peace does begin with ME and YOU.
We are NOT innocent victims. We contribute to acceptance and tolerance in our homes, at the dinner table, work, church, restaurants, etc.
Just this week, a man said to me, “She is queer, and I can’t stand them people. They are the cause of everything evil!!!”
This man was wrong, unin-formed, and hate sparked in his eyes.
I was also wrong. I said nothing and did not leave.
While riding in a car, a woman said to four passengers, “She has a big fat N_ _ _ _ A_ _.”
She too was wrong, rude, showed her ignorance, and thought she was funny or cute.
She wasn’t.
I did what was right, and let her know I did not approve of or agree with her racism. I received immediate criticism from her and others in the car.
Hate is complicated and complex, and it will not be fixed from the top down.
Healing can begin with each of us practicing and speaking zero tolerance for elitism, racism, and violence.
We cannot control what others think, say, or do.
We still have freedom to choose our thoughts, words, behavior, and the company we keep.
Peace does begin with US.
Until the next time: Live while you live!
(Jennifer Goble, Ph.D., LPC, is the author of My Clients…My Teachers, and the blogger and encourager of Rural Women Stories: www.ruralwomenstories.com.)
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Beautiful words Jennifer and all so true. This last week there was an article in the paper about a Baptist minister from the Berity Baptist church in Sacramento, CA that gave his sermon and said something to the fact that all those people killed at the Pulse in Orlando was ok because they defied God by what they were. Hard to believe, no, totally unbelievable coming from a man of God that should be speaking peace, love, understanding, forgiveness and kindness.
Oh my, Geri…that is sad, and yes, unbelievable to me too. The older I get the more I realize how differently we believe and rationalize. It is a good thing we can choose the company we keep! Hope you are somewhere cool! Thanks for the visit!
No where cool. Right here in Surprise! Hot,hot,hot.
I read all your posts and sometimes feel like I have to say something and today was one of those posts. Still can’t believe it when it comes back into my mind.
Geri, I always appreciate hearing your thoughts! I send you cool thoughts:-)
Thank you Jennifer and the same back to you. Have a wonderful day.