One: A Plea To The World

I was listening to "One", the beautiful ballad written during the 90's by U2. Next to John Lennon's "Imagine", it is one of my favorites in terms of depth, beauty and the simple message of Love. I've never been able to listen to this song without crying. Today was no exception.

As I listened, the words gripped my heart. "We're one but we're not the same. We've got to carry each other, carry each other." When Bono sings the word "carry" he sings it in such a way that I can only describe as gently and succinctly careful. The word is pronounced unlike any of the other words. It's very apropros for how that word plays out in the line. The only way to care for one another is to carry each other carefully. With care.

Brothers, sisters. We're all connected. Anyone who listens to this song or any similar tune knows this. Feels it in the heart.

People of the world, we've forgotten this. And this is why, this is the main reason why we fear each other. The main reason why our leaders are as they are, why the System is as it is, why fighting and battles play out, and why we continue to follow along, even when kicking and screaming. Violence feeds violence. Period. Love may be resisted, and it indeed is for it is unfamiliar that is certain, or at the very least uncomfortable and unfamiliar most especially outside of privacy of our homes, but it is the only way, the only only only way to peace.

We think when we end a relationship with someone, all ties are severed. But that is an illusion. How can you sever something that is eternal? Physical absense does not equate emotional absense. We carry one another in our hearts within, regardless of whether we're together, regardless of whether we've even met. To care for someone is to love that someone. And once that flame is lit, it can never be extinguished. Whenever you think of someone from your past with whom you are no longer in contact you are remembering that relationship is still alive in your heart. Try not to think about them. It's impossible, isn't it? That energy used in thinking about them is best used when you think of them in Love instead of fear or anger. This doesn't mean you need to have them in your life in the physical sense. Love doesn't mean being a doormat to harm or abuse. Nor does it mean ignoring lingering pain or hurt. It's all about the overall attention we give to our internal experience. Even the worst abuser is still a part of us all, still equally as worthy as everyone else.

It's my wish for the people, myself certainly included, to remember all of this. To remember how precious we all are. How worthy, magical, beautiful we all are. It is my wish that when we look at one another we remember this. For it is indeed an impossibility to ever harm that person in front of you through words or physical action when you see them for who they really are. When you see yourself mirrored in their eyes. When you see and feel that connection. It's unlike any feeling, any experience. It melts away all of the preconceived notions, stereotypes, opinions, societal expectations, beliefs.

We're one. We're not the same. And that's ok. Let's just carry each other, ok?