“Can you imagine, do you imagine, a day when war becomes obsolete? If we can’t imagine this, it is not likely to happen. Consider this: IN school, someone bullies and beats up a kid. What happens? Typically, the kid has friends or family that go after the bully. The bully gets beat up. What happens? His friends and family come for revenge. This goes on and on and on and on.

The only way to stop it is to not engage in it. Do not succumb to violence or returning violence. It only escalates. Bullies think it won’t. They think they will prevail, and they may for a while but typically all bullies meet worse bullies or those counteracting the original hurt and harm. HOW about imagining new ways to get along instead of old ways to do harm?

‘Imagination is more important than knowledge.’ said Einstein and he is not the only one. How about we do as John Lennon asked and ‘give peace a chance’ do you think we can. If not, what are you advocating instead? We can only go where our mind takes us. Whether an individual mind or a group mind. If it is to be it is up to me, is the saying OR if it is to come true, it is up to you.

Let’s find ways to create harmony and friendship to create a better world instead of pulling it apart. Hurting each other doesn’t help, it only hurts all. Yes, it may require forgiveness and sometime but if we don’t attempt it we are doomed to repeat. Let’s break the cycle by doing something productive, positive and new. If you always do what you always did, you’ll always get what you always got.

Don’t you think it’s time for a change? ‘Be the change you want to see in the world,’ said Gandhi. He led a peaceful movement and brought the British empire to its knees with passive resistance. Others have attempted the same. It seems most have met with violence. That doesn’t mean they always will, but it is possible. Good and bad exist the same as day and night. They both are part of life and cycles.

For us to evolve we need to grow up. We need to evolve our consciousness to the point violence is not the solution. It means changing our rhetoric, our metaphors, analogies and allegories. Maybe we don’t need to declare war on things we don’t like. Maybe if we become less violent others will too? It is possible, but not unless you believe it is possible. What you consider impossible keeps it the same.

You can light a million candles off one candle if yours is lit first. People model each other and learn from role models. We tend to copy each other. How about we hold out for love, peace, compassion, kindness, understanding, acceptance, harmony and helping each other instead of the alternatives. Hold out for good and positivity by becoming the examples others may follow. Eventually, the movement will grow and take hold. If we don’t attempt it, surely it won’t happen. Are you in? I hope so. Celebrate everything!” Rex Sikes