It's absolutely shocking
to discover that, as a country and people, we're hated by some, and that
some of those are determined to maim and kills us. It's awful to see our
fellow Americans vent wrath on Arab Americans and target members of the
Islam faith with rage and vengeance.
We're incredibly moved by the
bravery of the fire and rescue teams. The story of how the passengers of
United Flight 93 somehow forced that plane down in a field before it got
to Washington - at the sacrifice of their own lives, and encouraged by
their families over cell phones - is positively mind blowing!
Forgiveness is Part of the Program
Our Program is specific about
our need to forgive. On page 66 in "How It Works," the Big
Book says in part, "...we realized that the people who wronged
us were perhaps spiritually sick...'God save me from being angry.'"
And "We avoid retaliation..." It goes on: "Putting out of
our minds the wrongs others had done, we resolutely looked for our own
mistakes. Where had we been selfish, dishonest, self-seeking and frightened?"
Although we generally think
of these passages as dealing with our own, very personal inventory, the
instructions offer a path for us as a country as well. We do belong to
the larger world, and our actions as a nation are not always
selfless.
What's needed, both for ourselves
as individuals, and for us as Americans, is an honest self-examination
and a balanced view. We also need a large dose of compassion and
forgiveness.
For it is only with a truly
humble attitude - a desire to seek and know God's will - that we can
decide exactly what sort of response we want to make. The ultimate goal
is, I submit, world peace and true prosperity for all.
Some Action You Can Take
-
Donate blood - The
American Red Cross has a form you can
fill out online
and someone will call you to schedule an appointment-or find your
local chapter
here by
entering your zip code below the fold on the left.
-
Click at
The Hunger Site to donate
food - no cost.
-
Click at
Care2 to donate to Red Cross disaster relief efforts - no cost.
-
If you have a
PayPal account, you can donate to
the Red Cross there - the links is below the fold on the left.
-
About.com provides links to
volunteering.
-
Amazon.com
is also accepting donations to the Red Cross.
-
The
Petition Site has a Call
for Peace and Justice you can sign via the net plus valuable
perspective on the events and our response - take some time looking
over this site.
-
Read what one
Afghan-American
has to say.
-
Pray Peace
My vision today is the world surrounded in love, light
and peace.
Love, peace and abundance,
