Last night we went to bed knowing that the Americans found and assassinated Osama bin Laden, the leader, who instigated the world trade centre events in 2001.
This morning we woke up to a jubilant American nation, and a world on the brink of retaliation the likes of which may never have been witnessed before. My gut tells me that all this is far from over, with their leader dead, his followers grow strength from their grieving of and belief in a man that was a very frightening extremist. We can only hope and pray that whatever happens now happens with love and foresight, not hate and conjecture. We can only hope that those in power now stop this hideous fight for freedom, and seek more peaceful means of achieving peace in a loving world.
Many people have known grief at this mans’ hands if not by his own doing then by that of his followers. May they now find peace and love for the life they have, for the loved ones they lost are now at peace, may they no longer fill the world with loathing, hatred, bitterness, but allow it to transform into understanding, compassion, and love for all the peoples, everywhere on this planet.
I sit and write this freely, a free person in a free country, knowing others do not and cannot have this voice at this time. I hope with all my heart the time will come when freedom of speech is not just words on a page, but a phrase with meaning, true meaning, one with solidarity, trust, honour, belief in the good of mankind, the fairness of industry, the beauty of nature and the backing of science both political and worldly.
My wish for our world is to find in it a place of natural beauty, of lovely people, of honourable industry, where people in all regions think clearly of all consequences before taking on acts of violence to solve issues, where people think with their hearts more and their heads less, certainly when dealing with other people; where people think of the effects of what they are doing, or about to do will have on mother nature our planet the place we live; where people stop killing because there is a buck in it; where people have integrity, trust in themselves and others; where people have faith in something greater than what we are, who we are; where people treat people kindly, with respect, patience, where people are less judgmental and more fair minded; where people live and let live.
I wonder if such a place will ever exist?
I wonder if it can, if only in our minds and only for a while?
If we can do it for a while then why not forever?
Would it create a perfect world, probably not, but it sure would be nice to try it for a while.
Belinda Ross
3 May 2011
