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Peace on Earth [Be Patient...it's a long read]
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Peace on Earth [Be Patient...it's a long read] |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart 
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I rarely post in the Alley, for after an hour, or a few, or getting into a tomorrow…my rants simmer out, and what was irritating yesterday is but a pimple today, that with a little cream in my coffee, will most likely disappear. So this may not seem like a rant. More like an observation. I recently visited geographical areas that are hungry for a “good life” beyond what they have. Yet they do not, in public, gripe about what it is they do not have – they are merely [on the surface] grateful. They express a strong belief in God…and they know that it is still within them to survive, and live what they call, “a good life”. In the last few weeks, I would give up SO much to live their good life. No taxes. Nature’s reality. A history that surpasses ours. Surviving on one’s ability…[and trust me, I know how to grow things, and survive.] But so many of today’s younger people would not know what to do without… A cell phone Credit card[s], Toys that are a precursor to their own imagination Two cars [or more] Instant gratification Open wallets to college And yet, there are young people whose parents are not so well off, but still succeeded in that they gathered up Great books and a sense of values Common sense Work ethics Scholarships [and pay off their loans] Etc. I have seen people who literally came from the bottom up…and they do not worry, today, for the decisions they made based on reality, and their own smarts. I have seen people who were born with a silver spoon in their mouth, who have abused their privileges, and are now wondering why daddy didn’t bail them out. I have seen people who were abused, turned around and abused the system, and are wondering why daddy IS bailing them out… Suffice to say, as it has been said before and before, just read some history, the world is a mess. But is it? So many literal minded people are present here in these forums. Much more intelligent and well-read than myself, and I acknowledge that I cannot and probably will not read all that is important to the world, before I am no longer here. But I try to keep up. I try to know what is going on in the world, while not focusing on any ONE event, but all events, while working a full time job, and while, at this age, trying to “find myself” and “please myself” with my little wants and desires. And I wonder, still, how I can make the world a better place. So, bottom line, the purpose of this Alley issue, is … How WOULD YOU make this a better place? Can it be done? While utopia may never be met, is it REALLY so far-fetched that we could not strive for a world of understanding? Is it our genes that tell us that we need to be hard-headed and that OUR way is the ONLY way? Why is it that we fail in trying to understand that there are so many cultures, we shouldn’t be accepting of all? I know, deep in my mind, why. But I would truly like to understand it from a world-wide poet’s input. And I expect that this may/could get a little heated, so ergo, the Alley. Tell me why, my poet-people friends, why it is, we cannot find a good reason to put Peace on Earth. |
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| © Copyright 2003 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Local Rebel Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767Southern Abstentia |
I'm just having a hard time looking at that smile and connecting it to anger Karilea... do you really get angry? I think humanity continues to make progress. Instantaneous communication among common people is certainly a facilitator -- but also one of the bells and whistles that you mention kids can't seem to do without. The issues you mention all center around supply and demand... basic economics. It isn't that there isn't enough in the world -- it's distribution and a matter of enough what? The idea of subsistence varies around the globe as you mentioned. One of the ironies that was glaring immediately after 9-11 was that we had all these Americans waving flags and touting our greatness -- putting them on our lawns and houses and cars -- all with locks that we installed not to protect us from terrorists -- but -- Americans. Don't get me wrong -- I think Americans ARE great -- but there are always a few out there-- in every culture -- that ruin it for everybody. And so it is in the world.... and... in the face of agression we can either defend or surrender. About the cell phone generation though -- I've observed that behaviour myself -- and I really think that if you took it all away it would be like whoville on Christmas morning -- you'd just see a generation of some really great kids -- they're strong. I know it. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Reb...I am two things. The gal who WAS called "Pollyanna" by her own mother; and the kid who was told she wore "rose-colored glasses" by her family.... I am a hoptimist [God, I hope Webster people find that word and make it "real"...] and I like your input. I just know that in the real world, there is so much bitterness and so much greed... and that is something I will simply never understand. In answer to your question, do I EVER get angry? Yes. But the reason behind the anger fades so fast, I could only pinpoint it the moment it happens, and I will try to do so just for you, someday....  |
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timothysangel1973
since 2001-12-03
Posts 1725Never close enough |
I agree with Reb on the smile, yet I can see where your passion for something better can cause you to frown. This time of the year, I always get into a really weird mood, not because I dislike the Holidays, but because I DISLIKE the commercialism behind it all. I want, and want and then I drive down the road and see the people that live under the old iron bridge and I realize that I am selfish and unappreciative. I look at my children as they are digging through the presents under the tree like wild dogs, and it saddens me that somewhere along the way they have forgotten the meaning of Christmas. I have tried to teach them, and at the same time I have tried to instill in them a sense of caring beyond what they see. I want them to look at others that dont have what they do, and be not only grateful, but also try and lend a hand if they can. I think that even tho the world has progressed some over time, there is still much work to be done. There are so many people that look in the mirror and see only themselves. While the rest of the world struggles to maintain a sense of security. I do pray that this world will improve, but deep inside I know that there is worse to come. I pray that my children help to make the world a better place when it is their turn to take over, and undo what we have done. ...As far as the cell phones go... I live in a house with three kids; a teenager, a pre-teen and a GIRL... Without the cell phone, I would never get to speak to anyone that doesn't come over or send me e-mail. Happy Holidays, and keep that smile. You wear it well! Tima Life is something that happens when you can't get to sleep. |
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Nightshade
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962just out of reach |
Dearest Karilea, if only there were a simple answer. Nothing in this day and age is simple and yet, it could be. If we could let go of greed, jealousy, and mistrust. That's just a few nasty things I guess. God gave us free will, otherwise he would be able to take these and many other bad habits from us in the blink of an eye. I suppose that makes us very spoiled human beings. All I know is, I am blessed in so many ways that I am embarrassed to say that I have not even done volunteer work somewhere. We procrastinate, we make excuses, and in the meantime people are lonely, sick and calling out for a friend. If only all of us could live by "Make me a channel of your peace"......but, I am afraid it might be too late. Is it? I pray it is not. Bless You. Chris |
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Local Rebel Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767Southern Abstentia |
Ok... here's the plan Karilea We take over every form of instantaneous mass media on the planet, TV, Radio, Satellite, Cable, Internet, Cell Phones, Department store muzak -- all of it... We simultaneously broadcast Israel Kamakawiwo`ole's 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World -- then we wait for 2 minutes of total silence while it sinks in -- then we hit em with Judy Garland's version... Think that would do it?  'I hear babies cry and I watch them grow They'll learn much more than we'll know And I think to myself what a wonderful world' [This message has been edited by Local Rebel (12-26-2003 10:09 PM).] |
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Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
Earth -the nature world--feels like it is a thousand layers of structures and mechanisms below the human world. We may have quick communication and access to all things human, but we don't to pure and natural enviroment anymore. Humans seem determined to turn not only a a few acres but the whole world into a city-structure. Humans put the whole world into bondage to please their "freedom". They seek always more control of nature rather than balance and on a spiritual intimacy with it. This is why there is so much excess and wicked haste in life: the real world-the natural earth- is too buried under our human world to have peace with, and flow in us, and the human world may not function correctly. But all refinements, all technology parts of our structures originate from the bosom of mother earth herself. Do I believe we should raze away all urbanization and live completly naturalized? No; but I feel we need to downsize the excess of our world, mostly excess urbanization, so we may feel our own human nature and the nature of all things of the world in more harmony for seeking balance rather than control all the time. Controling things, and being aware of things, have their virtues and beauties but now a days they go to far. Unfortunatly it is difficult to see exactly where they should be. But I really believe they have been taken too far and now need to be downsized or reversed a bit somehow. [This message has been edited by Essorant (12-27-2003 12:27 AM).] |
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Craw Member
since 2003-09-11
Posts 73Scotland |
Short cut to world peace? Solve international/regional/tribal disputes by making the leaders personally fight each other to the death. Result, either instantly or after a very short time? No wars. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Smiling, I am, to see this come up again, as a thought crossed my mind the other day... Reb, Ess, craw, thank you for reading, in some instances, coming back with more ideas. Halleluiah, I am not alone! Actually, my thought was, after my son-in-law received a X-game or whatever it is called, and it was embellished upon me just how this thing works... that if every individual, one by one [like we do here in PiP] that had access to a computer, and said "one kind word to one individual once a day" making it a different individual every day... hell's bells, we could circle the globe with kindness. I know my utopian way of thinking is not everyone's - and that there will always be differences of opinions, and that there will always be evil...but I cannot comprehend that evil will take over the world, if we put the answers to it, in the hands of our everyday citizens. I know we can make a difference. |
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