the world heats up... in more ways than one

[lagilman]

I look at the news, and all I can do is shake my head. There's always a reason for violence to break out, but that doesn't make it any better, or easier to understand.

We were discussing the Arab/Israeli conflict over the weekend, and it was commented once again that sibling rivalry is always the bloodiest. Iraq shows us this as well. It's possible to shurg and say 'so and so is a complete infidel for not acknowledging such-and-such,' but a disagreement from within can flood the land with blood.

The U.S. government has chartered a cruise ship to evacuate the Americans remaining in Beruit to Cyprus. US Destroyers will be accompanying the ship. If you ever wondered why they ask you to register with the embassy when you're visiting a foreign country? Now you know why: easier to let you know when the ship leaves.



If I had a wish? It would be that we, as a species, could learn to let go, rather than hoarding the wrongs, the slights, the injuries, and the harms, real or imagined. Even the ones that come from within, from those we considered friends, or loved onces. Remember instead the kindnesses, the joys, the giftings, the unexpected pleasures. The vows kept, the promises unbroken.

Go on, do it. Take a minute. Let go of whatever's eating at you. Remember something positive. Smile. Go on your way.

If enough of us manage it, maybe we can stop a single person, or a dozen, or a country from suffering violence.

Or maybe it will just make your own day better. That's a mitzvah, too.

Comments

[tru2myart.livejournal.com]

I completely agree with you. It's similar to what I was telling psiqueue this morning. We as human beings tend to forget how fragile and precious life truly is. We focus so hard on the petty, small slights life deals us and in doing so forget the joy and love thats always around us if we only reach for it.
Life would be so much easier for everyone if we would just learn to let go of our hate, anger, apprehension, racism and bitterness, forgive one another and simply appreciate the fact that we live. That's one thing we all have in common, we're alive and if we used that as the foundation of our growth as a people the world would be a much better place.

[ex-rachelca.livejournal.com]

Bless you. What a wonderful post. I so rarely hold grudges that it often surprises me how much others do ... I'm not a vengeful person. I've been hurt ... badly ... in my life, but I try very hard to listen to every single person and find common ground. It's just a way of life.

I have been given some amazing gifts in my life -- friends, especially. People who come blazing in like supernovas and just burn up the problems.

Thanks for reminding me that life doesn't have to be heartache.

-- R.

[ex-rachelca.livejournal.com]

Oh, and also?

METHOS.

That's a bright little spark of joy in my heart RIGHT THERE. :o

R.

[shadowhelm.livejournal.com]

If I had a wish? It would be that we, as a species, could learn to let go, rather than hoarding the wrongs, the slights, the injuries, and the harms, real or imagined.

Sadly, that won't come true.

[wyldflamingo.livejournal.com]

I love your sentiment. It may sound trivializing, and I don't mean it tobe, but it would make a good bumper sticker. Imagine if 1000 people saw it (and absorbed it) each week, that would be 52,000 people a year.

[redstarrobot.livejournal.com]

The U.S. government has chartered a cruise ship to evacuate the Americans remaining in Beruit to Cyprus. US Destroyers will be accompanying the ship. If you ever wondered why they ask you to register with the embassy when you're visiting a foreign country? Now you know why: easier to let you know when the ship leaves.

MSNBC reports: "In statements e-mailed to Americans in Lebanon and posted on the embassy's Web site, the State Department has stressed 'that the U.S. government does not provide no-cost transportation but does have the authority to provide repatriation loans to those in financial need. For the portion of your trip directly handled by the U.S. Government we will ask you to sign a promissory note and we will bill you at a later date.'"

[lagilman]

the State Department has stressed 'that the U.S. government does not provide no-cost transportation but does have the authority to provide repatriation loans to those in financial need. For the portion of your trip directly handled by the U.S. Government we will ask you to sign a promissory note and we will bill you at a later date.'"

Seems fair enough to me. Bet they're more reasonable (and somewhat safer) than trying to arrange gypsy cabs out of a war zone...


(or hitching on a news 'copter, the way a friend of mine did)

[redstarrobot.livejournal.com]

It's unusual in an evacuation, to say the least. But I do wonder how they're calculating the cost per person of a rented cruise ship accompanied by destroyers...

from CNN

[lagilman]

"Evacuation fees for Americans being helped to leave Lebanon will be waived, two Republican senators tell CNN."

Re: from CNN

[redstarrobot.livejournal.com]

I'm not surprised, it sounded like it was turning into a real PR problem, especially given that the US wasn't repatriating, like other countries.