I know I've said this more than once, but I'll say it again and again: hatred is poison.
Trump's hatred, ISIS' hatred, anyone's hatred.
I don't understand why human beings still cling to it.
But I'm also talking about the way the media, governments (*coughs* Trump *coughs*,) the public, etc., react to this sort of event.
I know, I know, so much sh** is happening in the world right now. And people are scared. And they want someone to blame.
But scapegoating people who are different from yourself is of no benefit to anyone. It just leads to more and more innocent people getting hurt.
So let's lay down some ground rules, I think if we all follow them we may actually get somewhere:
*I don't mean love purely in the romantic sense - I mean love in the 'love the world, family, friends, life, etc.' kind of way.
I know, I know, so much sh** is happening in the world right now. And people are scared. And they want someone to blame.
But scapegoating people who are different from yourself is of no benefit to anyone. It just leads to more and more innocent people getting hurt.
So let's lay down some ground rules, I think if we all follow them we may actually get somewhere:
- EVERYONE is worthy of equal rights - regardless of race, religion, sexuality, gender, nationality, or anything else. We are all born with the same capacity to love.*
- Do the least harm that you can.
- Do the most good that you can.
- Don't be a jerk. Just ask yourself: would a jerk act like this? If the answer's yes, maybe don't.
- Try not to lash out when you're hurting.
- Apologise if you do.
- Realise that to protect innocent people, sometimes you have to protect not-innocent people.
- Don't ignore those in need.
- Don't take on the world's woes by yourself.
- Love* with your whole heart.
- Remember that people can change for the better.
*I don't mean love purely in the romantic sense - I mean love in the 'love the world, family, friends, life, etc.' kind of way.
Maybe it's my hippie upbringing - but a world where people try to do those things sounds good to me. How about you?
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Previous Nerd Church posts:
I think that by doing these things, the world would be a more peaceful place for all individuals! You can’t stop the big guys from causing harm, but you can change the way we react to it. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about Michael Jackson’s song “We Are the World.” I definitely think he knew what he was talking about with that one!!
ReplyDeleteHell yes! You gotta love protest music ;)
DeleteExcellent post, Cee. Totally agree with you :)
ReplyDeleteThank you. <3
DeleteE Lockhart has a character whose rule is "be a little kinder than you have to," and I think of that a lot. When I'm not sure if I should summon the energy to do something kind, I think of that rule and try to bother to do the nice thing. (But I fuck up sometimes.)
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful break, friend! <3
It's ok to mess up sometimes! No one minds - especially if it's clear that you're trying :)
DeleteHa, Nerd Church is on a break rather than me so I'll still be plenty busy! XD
HA! I knew it! I knew you had a hippie upbringing! :) all this "Imagine all the people living life in peace, you" and I LOVE THAT. I'm at hippy at heart too. And I agree with all your list. Though I try to practice all the precepts on your list, there are two that are difficult and that I'm sure make me act like a jerk sometimes: "Try not to lash out when you're hurting" and "Realise that to protect innocent people, sometimes you have to protect not-innocent people." Because, unfortunately, I have a very dark combative, vindictive side that sometimes is hard to tame :(
ReplyDeleteI try *very* hard not to be a hippie - I don't always succeed! However it also works the other way, because I have no time at all for yoga, meditation, incense, pan pipes, or designs which use rocks and call themselves 'zen.'
DeleteAlso, I'm pretty sure I've been the adult in the parent/child relationship for about a decade. (Yay.)
I'm sure you're lovely, and as long as you try, that's all anyone can ask! <3
lovely post as usual :)
ReplyDeleteThank you!!!! XD <3
DeleteI think a world where people try to do good and have a lot of grace when they realise they haven't is a pretty great sounding place to me. It's a shame that I don't see that around that much :/ But yeah, we need to keep trying to do good and hey, good rubs off on good right!
ReplyDeleteSpot on! :) <3
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