Can you imagine this? I was fast asleep in that deep delicious sleep in pre-dawn… In my dream, my bedroom door is knocked down and in the middle of my room stands an armed soldier, gun cocked ready to aim at me. Terrified I woke up heavily sweat amidst cold winter night, and… hmmnnn-huh! breathe a sign of relief that it’s not real, I roll over and fall asleep.
A nighmare for me but this scenario is a reality for the Bashir family who regularly host "uninvited" guest in their home on the Gaza strip. They, like many other families living in conflict areas have to live under very difficult circumstances which probably not of their making and which they are unable to resolve.
Sure there are always two sides to every conflict. However some actions cannot be justified no matter how strongly either side feels about the root reason for the alteration. I for one feel that there’s no justification to take the life of another human being especially since that right should be solely reserved for the creator. We all have the potential to be really good and on the flip side to be truly evil. The wars in Africa, Afghanistan, Iraq, Eastern Europe and Haiti among other conflict hotspots are a living testament of our inability to resolve our differences and celebrate what we have in common, no matter how little we may think it is. So, why can’t we all just get along? Why does history have to repeat itself? Why have we not learnt from the past and why do only few world leaders have the ability to just get it?
Then I wondered if I got it? suddenly it occurred to me that every misunderstanding I have ever had could have been avoided before escalating into a full conflict. As children we are taught a rhyme to build our self-esteem which goes: "Sticks and stones may hurt my bones but words will never hurt me…" oh, well… it works on the play ground but in most cases words are the root cause for us to pick up the stones…
So next time that you open your mouth to say unkind words, think how much braver you would be if you could just hold back and say… rather something good to avoid conflict. A kind word goes a long way to making life better on earth and if everyone does their bit then as in John Lennon’s song we may be able to really give PEACE a chance. Whether it is at home, the office or to a complete stranger who bumps you as you enter the lift. It really does begin with you and me.
