Tuesday, July 11, 2006
The Importance of Keeping One's Word
I recently watched a movie called, "The Promise". So many little truths and realizations jumped out at me that I thought I would share some of them. In the movie, there wasnt just one promise made, there were many. And as the movie progressed, I realized that there are often consequences to not keeping ones word. The damage doesnt just occur to oneself but also to the people who suffer loss from the broken word or promise. If someone promises something and does not follow through, then the individual who was counting on and put their faith in that persons word learns mistrust. That lack of trust may extend beyond the person who broke the promise towards others as well. Following this logic, the health and structure of a society could be affected. Therefore, the lack of integrity is a double-edged sword. It cuts both the giver and the receiver. The giver of the promise will no longer be trusted and can no longer trade or work with the betrayed based on the strength of that persons word. Both parties have lost. If the ripples of betrayal extend beyond the two people, many people can be affected. In the case of a personal relationship, the cost of a broken word is more than just the loss of trust, it includes the inflicting of deep hurt on the person who was mislead. For example, the vows of marriage are supposed to be sacred. The personal and emotional cost for breaking them can be devastating for both parties. If there are others involved, such as children, it can wreak havoc on them as well. Their lives will be disrupted by the break up of the family or at the very least the ensuing cloud of mistrust that exists between the leaders of the household. In business, a persons word has to be good. If you cannot keep true to your word, you cannot be trusted and when that happens, how can you continue to conduct commerce? Credit lines will be cut and personal contacts, which are so valuable in the business world, can be lost. Integrity is important at every level and in every aspect of society. Without integrity the very fabric of a system, unit or society can begin to crumble. Without integrity, what is a human being? A person loses everything through lack of integrity. He loses even respect for himself in the end. When the truth of it dawns on him, he may even begin to believe himself to be worthless. The solution is to cultivate integrity. Strive to be a good and truthful person. In fact, integrity is something that has been taught throughout history. It is hinted at everywhere, when you tune into it. Even in modern times the founder of a meditation practice called Falun Dafa, teaches Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance. He must think integrity is important. In fact, one can find the idea and importance of integrity emphasized in many religious teachings throughout every age of man. Dont the noblest of people hold the idea of integrity as dear? Integrity is more than just an idea. It is a practical and necessary character trait in order to have any lasting success in this world. True, some can achieve success through a serious lack of integrity, morals and ethics. However, it is like a house built on shifting sand, bound to fall sooner or later. And if the fall or payment for lack of integrity doesnt happen in this life, perhaps the payment manifests in a bad way in the next life. Whether you believe in reincarnation or in going to heaven upon death, or that you transcend and survive death in any way shape or form, it seems that it would be hardly worth rejecting integrity in the present. Even for a person who believes that nothing happens upon death, that life simply ends, the practical aspects of integrity in everyday life are evident. There are rewards in business and personal relationships for acting with integrity, loss of status and pain await those who overlook this virtue. Wouldnt it be a good idea to cultivate integrity in our daily lives and actions right now? If we each work on our personal integrity as individuals, we can collectively begin to build a better world and a better society for our children and ourselves. Isnt that worth striving for? David Snape writes for All Things Pondered: http://allthingspondered.com He also writes for http://tobeinformed.com - To Be Informed!
Monday, July 10, 2006
I Don't Want ... (To Have To Say Goodbye)
I did one of the most difficult things yesterday: I had to say goodbye to someone who was close to my heart. It was a difficult decision, but the truth of it all is, I didn't want to have to say goodbye. But God has his hand in everything, and my heart is finally beginning to heal.
When we decide to be friends with someone, I think sometimes we put up with more than we would or should with just a normal person. Somehow, they find there way into your heart and you just find yourself not wanting to let go. I kept telling myself, even when it was bad between us, that things would only get better. I thought that once this person saw what a good heart I had, perhaps they would realize how important it was to be nice to me. I don't ask for much, really. Just be a good person; be nice to me.
But in the end, I realized something. If I was valuable to this person, I wouldn't have to wonder why they never followed through with their word. I realized that when there's a friend in my life whom I value, I always do what I say. At first, I thought that perhaps I was the exception, and not the rule. Perhaps it truly is a "California Thing" to flake on people and tread on their hearts with the bottom of your shoes. Perhaps I am different having come from another state. I thought that, until that is, I flaked on a couple of people who I really care about. Suddenly, my heart did flip flops! I actually felt badly! Then I decided it's important to do what you say; it's important to be nice to people and follow through. Integrity. Morality. Character.
I wish that things could have been different between us. I would apologize for so many things I have done or said that I know were hurtful. I would take it all back at the chance to have a good friendship with this person. But it takes two. It takes two people to work on the friendship in order to make it work.
A friend of mine asked me exactly what it was that this person was giving me, and I couldn't think of anything. I went out of my way to drive to see this person, I went out of my way to help this person, and I went out of my way to spend time with this person. But when I told them about the situation with my mom, they said, "I don't know what to tell you." And when I asked for help, that person said, "When I have time." And then, worst of all, when I asked that person to follow through with what they said, they said, "I only told you that I would MAYBE spend time with you."
Obviously, if I am only good enough to get the MAYBE, then I am clearly not making a difference in this person's life. I told them that I needed a break, and there was no "wait, don't go." No, "Hey, you mean a lot to me," or "hey, I'll make it up to you." My message was met with silence.
Silence seems to fill up the distance between us. Nothing but silence.
So here I am, looking back at all that has happened. I look back at all that I have given. I gave openly because my heart was open. I gave willingly because my heart was willing. I gave, because I hoped that this person would one day give back. But, in the end, it's true that we only see what we want to see. They are too busy chasing elusive doves to bother with one girl who merely tried to be a good friend.
I feel bad. I wish there was something I could do. But I can't possibly give any more. It takes two. Everyone keeps telling me that. But it's so difficult for me to have to say goodbye-I don't want to have to give up on a friendship-especially one where I gave so much.
But a friend has made a good point. He said, "I'll bet this person doesn't even know your favorite color or what makes you happiest... I'll bet he interrupts you when you try to let him in to your heart and show him who you really are."
He's so right and perhaps I have been wrong to try. But I keep praying that one day this person will want to be my friend and will actually make some effort to be in my life instead of the other way around.
My friend also said, "Everyone loves a giver. They love to take and take and take. Maybe it's time you stop giving so much and see who it is that actually WANTS to be a part of your life."
When we decide to be friends with someone, I think sometimes we put up with more than we would or should with just a normal person. Somehow, they find there way into your heart and you just find yourself not wanting to let go. I kept telling myself, even when it was bad between us, that things would only get better. I thought that once this person saw what a good heart I had, perhaps they would realize how important it was to be nice to me. I don't ask for much, really. Just be a good person; be nice to me.
But in the end, I realized something. If I was valuable to this person, I wouldn't have to wonder why they never followed through with their word. I realized that when there's a friend in my life whom I value, I always do what I say. At first, I thought that perhaps I was the exception, and not the rule. Perhaps it truly is a "California Thing" to flake on people and tread on their hearts with the bottom of your shoes. Perhaps I am different having come from another state. I thought that, until that is, I flaked on a couple of people who I really care about. Suddenly, my heart did flip flops! I actually felt badly! Then I decided it's important to do what you say; it's important to be nice to people and follow through. Integrity. Morality. Character.
I wish that things could have been different between us. I would apologize for so many things I have done or said that I know were hurtful. I would take it all back at the chance to have a good friendship with this person. But it takes two. It takes two people to work on the friendship in order to make it work.
A friend of mine asked me exactly what it was that this person was giving me, and I couldn't think of anything. I went out of my way to drive to see this person, I went out of my way to help this person, and I went out of my way to spend time with this person. But when I told them about the situation with my mom, they said, "I don't know what to tell you." And when I asked for help, that person said, "When I have time." And then, worst of all, when I asked that person to follow through with what they said, they said, "I only told you that I would MAYBE spend time with you."
Obviously, if I am only good enough to get the MAYBE, then I am clearly not making a difference in this person's life. I told them that I needed a break, and there was no "wait, don't go." No, "Hey, you mean a lot to me," or "hey, I'll make it up to you." My message was met with silence.
Silence seems to fill up the distance between us. Nothing but silence.
So here I am, looking back at all that has happened. I look back at all that I have given. I gave openly because my heart was open. I gave willingly because my heart was willing. I gave, because I hoped that this person would one day give back. But, in the end, it's true that we only see what we want to see. They are too busy chasing elusive doves to bother with one girl who merely tried to be a good friend.
I feel bad. I wish there was something I could do. But I can't possibly give any more. It takes two. Everyone keeps telling me that. But it's so difficult for me to have to say goodbye-I don't want to have to give up on a friendship-especially one where I gave so much.
But a friend has made a good point. He said, "I'll bet this person doesn't even know your favorite color or what makes you happiest... I'll bet he interrupts you when you try to let him in to your heart and show him who you really are."
He's so right and perhaps I have been wrong to try. But I keep praying that one day this person will want to be my friend and will actually make some effort to be in my life instead of the other way around.
My friend also said, "Everyone loves a giver. They love to take and take and take. Maybe it's time you stop giving so much and see who it is that actually WANTS to be a part of your life."
When I Was In Love
About two or three years ago, I fell in love with who I thought was amazing man. While the end of this is sad, I wrote this while I was in love. Reading it again, I can almost remember that feeling of being in love ... and I can't wait for it to happen again (minus the hurting part that is!) *grin*
Its not easy-in that cornered moment of your life when you realize that the reason you cant breathe lately is because youre in love.
I practiced saying it over and over again in my head, Im in love as if bewitched by some magical wonderment not meant for me-meant only for those with some secret quality, some unknown quantative measurement that I do not possess. But after the surprise of uttering the words goes away, I realize that it is fitting for me.
I rush down the crowded street that, only weeks before, had me moaning and complaining about the people. Too many people. But today was different; let the people be there. Let them laugh and talk and get their coffees and rush off to work, and let them brush rudely by me on their way to some unknown destination, because I am in LOVE!
He makes me pancakes on the weekends, and smiles at me and laughs at my surprise that someone would do something that nice for me. He just keeps mixing the batter, round and round, and I watch with breathless anticipation. This is what its like, falling in love with your best friend.
Only problem is, I am afraid it wont last. Afraid that tomorrow when I wake up, this world of make believe will melt away leaving me les than I was yesterday. But oh this feeling. Maybe he will find a way to hurt me, find a way to take this most vulnerable moment that I am having and throw it in my face and grin at his daring, or simply take his leave without a word of explanation or goodbye. But it is all worth it somehow.
I am lost in thought on the edge of his bed, and he can sense tension in the air. He knows just what to say and asks me whats wrong. I want to tell him that this is so amazing I want to stop it right now, stop it before I get hurt-but the words lose themselves in my head before I can even begin to say them. A part of me, the stronger and more logical side, tells myself that its all right. Its time to let go-let go of all the fears, all the worries, just like when you first learn to swim. You have to relax, and just remember that you can float on the water as long as you dont panic. Just close your eyes, and float.
All day long, every day, I feel as though I am floating. I see him moody and angry, and I realize that he is not perfect, except to me. His darker side, his arrogance that he knows everything about everything, only adds to his boyish charm. He has an opinion about everything, and cares little about mine. But oh, I am in love.
One day, he comes home and for the first time since I have known him, he closes his door to me. He refuses to open up and I can sense that there is something wrong. My first thought is that I have somehow offended him-somehow done some horrific act to make his angry. And yet, in my heart I can only see good intentions.
When he finally opens his door to me, I am confused, and hopeful that having known him as I do, he will be patient with me and explain to me what has upset him so. If it was my fault, then I will fix it and move on. But I can see the anger in his eyes and know its directed toward me.
Before long, he is yelling at me for the first time ever. And months pass by and he is yelling at me, calling me names, hurting me in a way that would not be believeable for someone who feels the way I do. And so, both he and time begin to slip away, word by word, day by day.
If there could have been one picture on my wall the wrong direction, some feng shui I could have done to make myself understand his change in heart, I would have done so in a heartbeat if only to grasp the heart of the situation. As he would grow angry with me, annoyed by the simplest of gestures like a hug, I would say to myself over and over again, I love you. I love you. And yet the pain that I felt in his non-responsiveness was like a paper cut to my heart.
Nothing I said mattered, nothing I did mattered, and slowly my magical world began to come crashing down on me. Perhaps it is then that I found the letter. When I first saw it, I was afraid to look at it-afraid of what I might find. Afraid that if I were to see the real reason, I would not be as strong as I needed to be. But I knew that the words on those pages were the answers I so desperately sought.
It took a long time to read it. At first I put it under my pillow, so that when I calmed down I would simply take a peek. Shaking from the thought of breaking someones privacy and discovering the truth, I attempted to hold my hand steady. I felt as though I was cold and yet hot and yet there were no words to describe it.
After an hour or so, the realization hit me that I was in love. That feeling that I had so joyously coveted would allow me to read the letter and having nothing bad befall me. I only wanted to know the truth, and if for nothing else, my heart needed to know.
It took me twice through to understand what I was reading, as the tears were falling down my cheeks before I could stop them, all but blinding my vision. I wiped them away, but more replaced them-as I settled into the shock of what I had discovered.
It was a beautiful letter, and as articulate as only he could be. Of course, it wasnt written to me-but to someone in his quiet, whispered past. Someone who had apparently fluttered into his heart like a butterfly, and then never left him. I remembered that he had talked about her, someone he had dated years before, someone who lived far away. This could not be happening, I kept telling myself. But the truth of when he had signed the letter, the date, stamped itself into my memory.
The whole time he had spent with me, he had spent thinking about her. I was the stand-in, walking in the footsteps of someone elses shadow, and falling in love with someone whose heart was already taken.
Its not easy-in that cornered moment of your life when you realize that the reason you cant breathe lately is because youre in love.
I practiced saying it over and over again in my head, Im in love as if bewitched by some magical wonderment not meant for me-meant only for those with some secret quality, some unknown quantative measurement that I do not possess. But after the surprise of uttering the words goes away, I realize that it is fitting for me.
I rush down the crowded street that, only weeks before, had me moaning and complaining about the people. Too many people. But today was different; let the people be there. Let them laugh and talk and get their coffees and rush off to work, and let them brush rudely by me on their way to some unknown destination, because I am in LOVE!
He makes me pancakes on the weekends, and smiles at me and laughs at my surprise that someone would do something that nice for me. He just keeps mixing the batter, round and round, and I watch with breathless anticipation. This is what its like, falling in love with your best friend.
Only problem is, I am afraid it wont last. Afraid that tomorrow when I wake up, this world of make believe will melt away leaving me les than I was yesterday. But oh this feeling. Maybe he will find a way to hurt me, find a way to take this most vulnerable moment that I am having and throw it in my face and grin at his daring, or simply take his leave without a word of explanation or goodbye. But it is all worth it somehow.
I am lost in thought on the edge of his bed, and he can sense tension in the air. He knows just what to say and asks me whats wrong. I want to tell him that this is so amazing I want to stop it right now, stop it before I get hurt-but the words lose themselves in my head before I can even begin to say them. A part of me, the stronger and more logical side, tells myself that its all right. Its time to let go-let go of all the fears, all the worries, just like when you first learn to swim. You have to relax, and just remember that you can float on the water as long as you dont panic. Just close your eyes, and float.
All day long, every day, I feel as though I am floating. I see him moody and angry, and I realize that he is not perfect, except to me. His darker side, his arrogance that he knows everything about everything, only adds to his boyish charm. He has an opinion about everything, and cares little about mine. But oh, I am in love.
One day, he comes home and for the first time since I have known him, he closes his door to me. He refuses to open up and I can sense that there is something wrong. My first thought is that I have somehow offended him-somehow done some horrific act to make his angry. And yet, in my heart I can only see good intentions.
When he finally opens his door to me, I am confused, and hopeful that having known him as I do, he will be patient with me and explain to me what has upset him so. If it was my fault, then I will fix it and move on. But I can see the anger in his eyes and know its directed toward me.
Before long, he is yelling at me for the first time ever. And months pass by and he is yelling at me, calling me names, hurting me in a way that would not be believeable for someone who feels the way I do. And so, both he and time begin to slip away, word by word, day by day.
If there could have been one picture on my wall the wrong direction, some feng shui I could have done to make myself understand his change in heart, I would have done so in a heartbeat if only to grasp the heart of the situation. As he would grow angry with me, annoyed by the simplest of gestures like a hug, I would say to myself over and over again, I love you. I love you. And yet the pain that I felt in his non-responsiveness was like a paper cut to my heart.
Nothing I said mattered, nothing I did mattered, and slowly my magical world began to come crashing down on me. Perhaps it is then that I found the letter. When I first saw it, I was afraid to look at it-afraid of what I might find. Afraid that if I were to see the real reason, I would not be as strong as I needed to be. But I knew that the words on those pages were the answers I so desperately sought.
It took a long time to read it. At first I put it under my pillow, so that when I calmed down I would simply take a peek. Shaking from the thought of breaking someones privacy and discovering the truth, I attempted to hold my hand steady. I felt as though I was cold and yet hot and yet there were no words to describe it.
After an hour or so, the realization hit me that I was in love. That feeling that I had so joyously coveted would allow me to read the letter and having nothing bad befall me. I only wanted to know the truth, and if for nothing else, my heart needed to know.
It took me twice through to understand what I was reading, as the tears were falling down my cheeks before I could stop them, all but blinding my vision. I wiped them away, but more replaced them-as I settled into the shock of what I had discovered.
It was a beautiful letter, and as articulate as only he could be. Of course, it wasnt written to me-but to someone in his quiet, whispered past. Someone who had apparently fluttered into his heart like a butterfly, and then never left him. I remembered that he had talked about her, someone he had dated years before, someone who lived far away. This could not be happening, I kept telling myself. But the truth of when he had signed the letter, the date, stamped itself into my memory.
The whole time he had spent with me, he had spent thinking about her. I was the stand-in, walking in the footsteps of someone elses shadow, and falling in love with someone whose heart was already taken.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Carpe Diem
A very nice friend sent this to me, and I cut a small part of her speech to share with you.
The following is from Pulitzer Prize winning author Anna Quindlen's commencement address to Villanova University, Friday 23 June 2000:
"So here is what I wanted to tell you today:
Get a life. A real life, not a manic pursuit of the next promotion, the bigger paycheck, the larger house. Do you think you'd care so very much about those things if you blew an aneurysm one afternoon, or found a lump in your breast? Get a life in which you notice the smell of salt water pushing itself on a breeze over Seaside Heights, a life in which you stop and watch how a red-tailed hawk circles over the water gap or the way a baby scowls with concentration when she tries to pick up a cheerio with her thumb and first finger.
Get a life in which you are not alone. Find people you love, and who love you. And remember that love is not leisure, it is work. Each time you look at your diploma, remember that you are still a student, still learning how to best treasure your connection to others. Pick up the phone. Send an e-mail. Write a letter. Kiss your Mom. Hug your Dad. Get a life in which you are generous."
We have all heard it a thousand times: carpe diem-seize the day. We only live life once, unless you believe in reincarnation, and we really need to put it all into perspective. This is something I admit I often struggle to do. I remember the days when I had no money, and getting to eat a tuna fish sandwich was a great thing to me. Now we fast forward a few years and here I am, making it okay on my own-a far cry from the person I used to be. I can go to the store whenever I want to and just buy myself a soda just because. I can't even tell you what that feels like. If I choose to make chicken versus steak for dinner, I can make that choice. I can choose to enjoy the beautiful weather or stay inside all day. But I think that perhaps it takes great struggles, great heartache, to truly appreciate the gifts in life... or perhaps it takes falling down so hard you don't think you can ever pick yourself up again. But our lives are what we make them, and how fast they pass us by.
There have been so many times in the past that I have fallen down, flat on my face, and I worried-that no one would be there to pick me up. But then, the clouds in my heart would part, and somehow the sun would shine through-and my friends, those who loved me the most, pick me up, dust me off, and carry me through.
There are people close to me who teach me new things every day. I am learning so much and am so greatful for my friends. We have all come from difficult places, we all come together with our broken hearts and terrible pasts, and we grow closer, enjoying one another's company-and I am ever so thankful for them.
But we must enjoy our time here on this Earth. We have so little time. I can't imagine why people feel the need to hurt one another, to be any less than genuine, to deceive and to lie, when all we have is what we are.
All we have is what we are. And we have God and each other. So seize the day. Make this life really really count.
The following is from Pulitzer Prize winning author Anna Quindlen's commencement address to Villanova University, Friday 23 June 2000:
"So here is what I wanted to tell you today:
Get a life. A real life, not a manic pursuit of the next promotion, the bigger paycheck, the larger house. Do you think you'd care so very much about those things if you blew an aneurysm one afternoon, or found a lump in your breast? Get a life in which you notice the smell of salt water pushing itself on a breeze over Seaside Heights, a life in which you stop and watch how a red-tailed hawk circles over the water gap or the way a baby scowls with concentration when she tries to pick up a cheerio with her thumb and first finger.
Get a life in which you are not alone. Find people you love, and who love you. And remember that love is not leisure, it is work. Each time you look at your diploma, remember that you are still a student, still learning how to best treasure your connection to others. Pick up the phone. Send an e-mail. Write a letter. Kiss your Mom. Hug your Dad. Get a life in which you are generous."
We have all heard it a thousand times: carpe diem-seize the day. We only live life once, unless you believe in reincarnation, and we really need to put it all into perspective. This is something I admit I often struggle to do. I remember the days when I had no money, and getting to eat a tuna fish sandwich was a great thing to me. Now we fast forward a few years and here I am, making it okay on my own-a far cry from the person I used to be. I can go to the store whenever I want to and just buy myself a soda just because. I can't even tell you what that feels like. If I choose to make chicken versus steak for dinner, I can make that choice. I can choose to enjoy the beautiful weather or stay inside all day. But I think that perhaps it takes great struggles, great heartache, to truly appreciate the gifts in life... or perhaps it takes falling down so hard you don't think you can ever pick yourself up again. But our lives are what we make them, and how fast they pass us by.
There have been so many times in the past that I have fallen down, flat on my face, and I worried-that no one would be there to pick me up. But then, the clouds in my heart would part, and somehow the sun would shine through-and my friends, those who loved me the most, pick me up, dust me off, and carry me through.
There are people close to me who teach me new things every day. I am learning so much and am so greatful for my friends. We have all come from difficult places, we all come together with our broken hearts and terrible pasts, and we grow closer, enjoying one another's company-and I am ever so thankful for them.
But we must enjoy our time here on this Earth. We have so little time. I can't imagine why people feel the need to hurt one another, to be any less than genuine, to deceive and to lie, when all we have is what we are.
All we have is what we are. And we have God and each other. So seize the day. Make this life really really count.
Thoughts of Peace
So here we are, going about our days, worrying about work and love and if we make enough money, etc. and meanwhile, far across the world, there are people fighting and losing their lives for a cause. But what cause?
I am not sure what Bush was thinking in keeping our troops overseas as long as he has. I can't justify or criticize but I will say this: every time I see another dead soldier in the paper, killed by some terrorist who justifies death for religious purposes, I can't help but be saddened.
Looking at the soldier's picture, I read everything I can about him or her. What kind of person were they? How old? Could we have been friends? I take a moment to reflect on a person I will never know and whose presence will never again be felt upon the Earth. What were they interested in? Did they have families who loved them? To think that we lose such young, bright people whose families will never again see them home for dinner, makes me truly wonder about the purpose of life.
On one hand, I admire their courage and their strength. They signed up to defend our country, to put their lives on the line for a cause, and they do so with determination and eagerness. Sometimes I feel ashamed not to have the courage that they must have to face the potential dangers they do every single day.
On the other hand, I feel that their deaths must not be in vain. We have an obligation to each other here. We should feel greatful to have all that we have. We should feel greatful to be free and live in a country where we can practice whatever religion we choose and we can be the people we want to be without hiding who we really are, without covering ourselves up or being afraid to speak out. We owe it to ourselves and all of those people fighting for the cause to actually believe in it.
For all the trouble in this country, it is still great. And we need to go forward and be greatful and happy that we will wake up tomorrow to the sound of the birds singing and not to the sounds of bombs dropping or small arms fire. We are a free nation. We are still good. We need to keep on believing, and remember just what it is everyone is fighting for.
Cheers and love,
Sarah
I am not sure what Bush was thinking in keeping our troops overseas as long as he has. I can't justify or criticize but I will say this: every time I see another dead soldier in the paper, killed by some terrorist who justifies death for religious purposes, I can't help but be saddened.
Looking at the soldier's picture, I read everything I can about him or her. What kind of person were they? How old? Could we have been friends? I take a moment to reflect on a person I will never know and whose presence will never again be felt upon the Earth. What were they interested in? Did they have families who loved them? To think that we lose such young, bright people whose families will never again see them home for dinner, makes me truly wonder about the purpose of life.
On one hand, I admire their courage and their strength. They signed up to defend our country, to put their lives on the line for a cause, and they do so with determination and eagerness. Sometimes I feel ashamed not to have the courage that they must have to face the potential dangers they do every single day.
On the other hand, I feel that their deaths must not be in vain. We have an obligation to each other here. We should feel greatful to have all that we have. We should feel greatful to be free and live in a country where we can practice whatever religion we choose and we can be the people we want to be without hiding who we really are, without covering ourselves up or being afraid to speak out. We owe it to ourselves and all of those people fighting for the cause to actually believe in it.
For all the trouble in this country, it is still great. And we need to go forward and be greatful and happy that we will wake up tomorrow to the sound of the birds singing and not to the sounds of bombs dropping or small arms fire. We are a free nation. We are still good. We need to keep on believing, and remember just what it is everyone is fighting for.
Cheers and love,
Sarah
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