It's more powerful to let faith for change radiate from us than concentrating on who's guilty, in our communication, and in wearing the weight of injustice on our countenances. And nothing validates "faith for change" more than a genuine smile that comes up from the heart and out through the eyes.

Injustice is everywhere. On every continent. In every country and city. Everyday, innocent die and guilty go free.

In 2007 in America, 16,929 people were murdered and 90,427 people were forcibly raped. The death count resulting from the horror of Darfur, Sudan is approaching 400,000. The American Civil War was the deadliest in American history, causing 620,000 soldier deaths and an undetermined number of civilian casualties. And an American president, Abraham Lincoln, was assassinated because of an ignorant hatred and fear of Black Americans who then lived in humiliation and daily fear for their lives.

The list goes on of atrocities that have stained humanity since the beginning of time.

So how can we smile today? And why should we smile?

Peace is spread from the present forward. The past has passed. Our hope is in the generations that follow us. Should we communicate the pain of injustice to a our young children? Should we make it our aim to tell them who's "wrong" so they can begin their journey taking sides? Where has that gotten us? Or, in the face of suffering and injustice, should we give them an encouraging smile that says, "we can get through this". Minimizing blame and maximizing hope that may plant a seed that causes them to reach out beyond the hate and prejudice that will always be around us?

Mother Theresa said, "Peace begins with a SMILE" and I'm just starting to understand what she meant.

Dwelling on the pain of injustice only justifies those on either side of any given conflict and can end up inadvertently breeding more hate and mistrust. We all hurt. We all feel pain when we see those in pain. But love and peace are bigger and broader than that. True peace is captured in the eyes of a child and the childlike. Faith is more powerful than fear and far more difficult to attain, especially for adults. I believe the ability to genuinely smile in dark times is the evidence that one believes peace and change are truly possible and that love wins in the end.

I made a cognizant choice to do my part for peace by not emphasizing the lack thereof, but by capturing the smiles of the "peaceful" and writing a song for ALL to relate to: "On Our Way Back Home".

I am painfully aware that I can do nothing to stop ANY injustice anywhere. And I know I can't really make a difference by taking sides or joining those who agree with how hopeless things are. But I can (perhaps) put a ray of peace and love into one human heart at a time.

God watches. God knows. And God will vindicate the righteous. Sometimes here on earth, but most definitely in and throughout eternity. Where all matters will be settled and the vapor of this life won't be remembered. And I fully believe that God smiles because He knows the end from the beginning and the good things He has in-store for those hurting here on Earth.

America's 16th President, Abraham Lincoln was assassinated because of hate and prejudice toward Afro-Americans.

YESTERDAY, January 19, 2009, America celebrated a beloved national holiday, in honor of a great Black man, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

TODAY, another great Afro-American, Barack Obama, has been inaugurated as our 44th President. Change is possible. Peace is possible. Hearts can change and a genuine loving smile is always good thing.

My sincerest heart and prayers go out to all those suffering in this Gaza conflict. Please take hope and feel a wave of love from across the oceans and hopes for a quick resolve. There are countless here who love you.

Palestinians and Israelis you were brothers before you became enemies. Please teach your children that and give them a sincere smile to validate your faith in and for peace with one another and the world.

SMILE IF YOU LOVE PEACE

Views: 26

Comment

You need to be a member of iPeace.us to add comments!

Join iPeace.us

Comment by Peace_maker on February 2, 2009 at 3:31am
Wet Willy I remember that one
Comment by A. Whistler on February 1, 2009 at 6:21am
"Smile'in through the rain, laugh'in through the pain ..... you got to keep on smile'in" - an old song (' 70s) Wet Willy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpiFrFig35o
One of my favorite songs.
Peace on'ya
Comment by Doris on January 31, 2009 at 1:12am
Hi, thank you for your friendship and your inspiration.
Whatever we give our attention, grows.
We have choice. Every moment anew.

Love and Blessings on all you do

Doris
Comment by Peace_maker on January 26, 2009 at 4:18am
I am a advocate for peace I am not impartial . but diligent of my reach for justice I know its not the fault of what has happen in Gaza and of the Israeli people seen what happen there its the unfairness of the Israeli government, that did not try to make peace or try to make a goal to to make dialog with the other party. love can change all that what hate has done. if we can use our humanism for compassion and use our energies to heal the hurts of mankind it would be a goal in all of us to help one another in this fashion. if to " Only we all could put our efforts in it.

We must as all American people Help Obama to fulfill the American dream of all Americans .

Latest Activity

Lucy Williams updated their profile
Jul 5, 2023
Sandra Gutierrez Alvez updated their profile
Oct 1, 2022
DallasBoardley updated their profile
Feb 8, 2022
RADIOAPOLLON1242 AIGOKEROS PANOS updated their profile
Feb 2, 2022
Shefqet Avdush Emini updated their profile
Jul 2, 2021
Ralph Corbin updated their profile
Jun 25, 2021
Marques De Valia updated their profile
Mar 24, 2021
SSEAYP - South-East Asian Youth liked David Califa's discussion Flash Banners Here
Feb 29, 2020

© 2024   Created by David Califa. Managed by Eyal Raviv.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service