This quote from Mahatma Ghandi is one we would all be wise to apply in our own lives. If we think about the wisdom of adopting this attitude  we can go a very long way toward achieving that which we all know in our heart of hearts is so desperately needed in today's world.

Until we change our way of thinking  and choose to set aside our natural tendency to be suspicious and  wary of any who do not believe as we do  there is no way there will ever be the communication necessary to create the understanding which can lead to peace and harmony on this planet. We cannot wait for someone else to do it. Each of us, in our own way must take the first steps. Only then will we build the trust in others to do likewise.

Every action creates a reaction and by offering mistrust and violence as an answer to those with whom we differ we invite reciprocity. Nothing breeds hatred and enmity as easily as fear. Why is it that otherwise intelligent people continue to allow themselves to be so dangerously careless about finding solutions finally to suppressing, and in time hopefully eliminating man's baser instincts ?

I know it isn't something which will be accomplished perhaps even in our lifetime but we can begin to create a mindset which will grow and if nourished will be the ultimate answer. The enmity didn't pop up as we slept. It has festered for generations. it will take generations to eradicate. I am not so naive as to think it will be easy or simple. But I do believe it is our only answer.

I have never been able to understand how we can call ourselves christians when we ignore the basic teachings of our faith. And we do. We actually have the temerity to place ourselves above our Maker as judge and jury. We are filled with the smug attitude that only our way is the way to  salvation. Who are we to make those decisions ? Are they not only His ? How do we justify the pomposity of  believing that only we are right?

 That arrogance begins with our faith but it extends to every facet of life. Only our political systems are  acceptable. Only our way of life is the correct way. Is it any wonder that we have created such enmity toward us ? Why is it that we are not able to accept that a Higher Power, by whatever name, may indeed be the exact same one we so revere? And why is our system of governance the only one  acceptable for all ? Why are we so incapable of leaving the ultimate judging to the One we profess to believe will judge all of us  when our time to account for our actions on this earth arrives ?

 Many years ago I came to the realization that it was not my right to judge others. I have enough difficulty dealing with my own weaknesses and failings.  And they are many. One can only do one's best to overcome as many of them as possible and hope that  the path one takes harms no one else. We may not always succeed but consciously making the effort to treat others in the manner in which we would hope to be treated in return does show positive returns and the bonus is that we find fewer problems along the way.

 As I read the newspapers and watch the news these days  I become more convinced daily that we would be so much happier and safer if only we were to really live our faith as it was  meant to be lived rather than  using it as a shield and an excuse for whatever action we may choose to take. I know that as a Canadian it is perhaps easier for me to have an objective opinion about what I am writing but we too will pay for the choices made in recent years.

So many of the problems  we face these days are as a result of  poor choices made by those charged with the responsibility of governance. The fault lies with each of us. Those who have fulfilled their civic duty by participating in the process and those who have  chosen rather to opt out and allow indifference to prevail. Government is only as good as the citizenry demands. We do get the system we deserve. It's certainly easier to blame someone else rather than  to accept responsibility but the facts are that those in power do represent all of us and we have given them the power to do as they will. The fact that so many of those choices have been detrimental to our security and our way of life is not only the fault of those making the decisions. That blame rests with each and every one of us for allowing  their poor choices and decisions to be implemented because it was easier to just 'go along' rather than  to demand  concrete proof that the facts actually were as presented. How many lives might have been saved had we cared enough to really participate ? And how many more must die before it all ends ?

 We in North America have been reacting for three and a half years now to events which people of other continents have lived with for centuries. Yes, those events were horrendous and will be seared into our memories forever but they were no worse than others have faced before us. Perspective is everything.  And I know as I write these words that there will be many readers who will be angered greatly by them but they are nevertheless true. Being protected by two oceans has bred in us a complacency that it could never happen to us. Finding this is no longer true has been an awakening which has shown  the true character of our nations and we have  been shown to be far more human than even we have always assumed. Fear is a terrible emotion which, if not controlled, can cause even the finest among us to behave in a manner not in keeping with our much vaunted beliefs. The operative word being 'human'.

 We must ask ourselves why we are so willing to accept that violence must be met with even more violence in retaliation. Violence which sees innocent children the victims in our haste to 'get even' as  we stand by and allow those in power to carry their agenda to fruition and the  horrific carnage we are now witnessing. Even the most unthinking among us must realize this will only lead to more devastation. And to the deaths of not only the children of others but the finest of a country's youth as well. This is not christianity's finest hour. How can anyone believe our actions will have positive results ? We are creating a new generation of those who will hate us with even more vehemence for having lived through the violence we have visited upon them

 And ironically we have allowed our enemy to succeed beyond their wildest dreams  as their actions are still dictating our reactions even years after the fact. What might have been accomplished if only those making the decisions had been held to a higher standard we now will never know.

 I am aware this page is controversial and will anger many.  I sincerely wish this were not so as I assure you it is not written  to enflame but hopefully to cause others to stop and think  about the consequences for mankind itself if we don't reassess the willingness to see war as an answer to the problems facing our world today. 

To paraphrase what Ghandi said so many years ago ... WE must be the change we wish to see in the world. When will we actually understand the principle he lived by and make a genuine effort to apply it? Not only for the sake of those of us now here but for our children's children and the survival of our way of life and the planet itself. Dear God, will we ever learn ?