Autumn 2011 - looking back
Over the past week or so, my thoughts have moved backward in time to the events of September 11, 2001; the destruction, loss of lives, the grief of survivors. This moment in time lives in our collective memory as a day that changed the course of history.
How many generations before us have said the same words: this event forever altered the course of history? Most often those momentous occasions are associated with violence, with destruction, with grief. Our human condition is inclined toward fear which leads to loveless action. We can clearly see this on a global scale. And is it not true in our individual lives as well? Whenever we perceive a provocation, we react in ways that harm others and ourselves. Reflection may come later and with it, may come regret, remorse, renewed desire to respond - next time - with more compassion and love.
Could we not learn to reflect first rather than react first? Bob Dylan poignantly expressed the question and planted a seed of hope:
". . . how many deaths will it take till we know that too many people have died? The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind, the answer is blowin' in the wind . . . "
Today could be our day to live the answer, my friend.
copyright 2012 phyllis boernke; except quote from bob dylan
Over the past week or so, my thoughts have moved backward in time to the events of September 11, 2001; the destruction, loss of lives, the grief of survivors. This moment in time lives in our collective memory as a day that changed the course of history.
How many generations before us have said the same words: this event forever altered the course of history? Most often those momentous occasions are associated with violence, with destruction, with grief. Our human condition is inclined toward fear which leads to loveless action. We can clearly see this on a global scale. And is it not true in our individual lives as well? Whenever we perceive a provocation, we react in ways that harm others and ourselves. Reflection may come later and with it, may come regret, remorse, renewed desire to respond - next time - with more compassion and love.
Could we not learn to reflect first rather than react first? Bob Dylan poignantly expressed the question and planted a seed of hope:
". . . how many deaths will it take till we know that too many people have died? The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind, the answer is blowin' in the wind . . . "
Today could be our day to live the answer, my friend.
copyright 2012 phyllis boernke; except quote from bob dylan
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