In these trouble times, when hope is hard to find, I like to go to meditations on peace and the inspiration of writers such as those I’ve included here. These are but a drop in the vast ocean of hope filled authors that have guided humanity, and continue to guide humanity through turbulent times. Let us all take time each day to reflect on all that is good and right and true in this world. I will always believe that if enough of us join forces for good, for truth, for love and honor … it will make a difference. I believe …
The Oppressor and the Oppressed Must Both be Liberated..” ~Nelson Mandela
“I always knew that deep down in every human heart, there is mercy and generosity. No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite. Even in the grimmest times in prison, when my comrades and I were pushed to our limits, I would see a glimmer of humanity in one of the guards, perhaps just for a second, but it was enough to reassure me and keep me going. Man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.
It was during those long and lonely years that my hunger for the freedom of my own people became a hunger for the freedom of all people, white and black. I knew as well as I knew anything that the oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed. A man who takes away another man’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred, he is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. I am not truly free if I am taking away someone else’s freedom, just as surely as I am not free when my freedom is taken from me. The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.
When I walked out of prison, that was my mission, to liberate the oppressed and the oppressor both. Some say that has now been achieved. But I know that is not the case… We have not taken the final step of our journey, but the first step on a longer and even more difficult road. For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. The true test of our devotion to freedom is just beginning.”
When we take the time to think about, contemplate and meditate on peace, or love, or hope we not only take a step toward the restoration of all that is good in our own lives, but our choice to do so spills over into the world. Take time. Even just a moment now and again. Return to hope.
FOR LOVE IN THE TIME OF CONFLICT
When the gentleness between you hardens
And you fall out of your belonging with each other,
May the depths you have reached hold you still.
When no true word can be said, or heard,
And you mirror each other in the script of hurt,
When even the silence has become raw and torn,
May you hear again an echo of your first music.
When the weave of affection starts to unravel
And anger begins to sear the group between you,
Before this weather of grief invites
The black seed of bitterness to find root.,
May your souls come to kiss.
Now is the time for one of you to be gracious,
To allow a kindness beyond thought and hurt,
Reach out with sure hands
To take the chalice of your love,
And carry it carefully through this echo-less waste
Until this winter pilgrimage leads you
Towards the gateway to spring.
John O’Donohue
(From Benedictus A Book of Blessings, John O’Donohue)
These are inspiring quotations from some of my favorite authors. I smiled to see John O’Donohue’s poem, because I included two of his books in my own post today. Synchronicity.
So much violence around us. Thank you for showing us the power of the pen. It is mightier than the sword but sometimes it’s hard to believe. Let’s make one clear decision for peace today!
Synchronicity for sure! Will jet over there now!
Love this Dorothy! And yep, hope DOES change everything. I love the Nelson Mandela excerpt. And the Myss quote too! Just love her.
Thanks, Susan.