The common thread between me and other immigrants, we fled our country to move beyond, sometimes, to move beyond hate.
Hate is a strong word.
When I was younger, I wrote a term paper the Pros and Cons of Capital Punishment. The final analyst of the paper, I was for electric chair, a capital punishment. This was based on a young mind being exposed to violence. Not in my home where love thrives but due to poor government system and being under the regime of so many super powers.
Hearing and reading stories is not good for a young mind for I learned the word hate.
I hated what the Spaniards did, I hated what the Japanese did, I hated what the Americans did, and I hated the martial law, hate, hate, hate…
Here in Canada, I learnt the history of the holocaust from watching the movie Schindler’s List. I hated the Germans.
Fortunately, there is one immigrant that helps me move beyond hate. Eva Olsson, a holocaust survivor and she lives here in Canada.
Her life philosophy in life is:
> Live one day at a time and make it a masterpiece.
> Treat others the way you want to be treated.
> Racism is a learned attitude
>Make a choice.
> Change your attitude.
She is right. I cannot change the past and I can definitely change my attitude.
Subsequently, I began to find my VOICE. Stand Up! Speak Up!
By being silent I will suffer. That is why I have to speak out against intolerance, violence, disrespect, mendacity and any forms that will kill the soul of a human being. If I maintain this silent attitude and accept the inhumanity, then, I have just lost the purpose and meaning of life. That purpose comes from the heart connected to the mind. As much as possible, I leave little room for hatred and cultivate love.
Love brings peace. A moment of Peace, a day of Peace, and never-ending Peace is what I strive for. If I tell myself who I am, words are not enough. I have to show you and I start with children.
If I can only teach one child to become loving, forgiving, compassionate, kind and see the goodness of the world in the God of small things, then I have done my job. Hopefully, the child in turn will teach other children and this can have a ripple effect.
I changed and keep the deep abiding Love of God based on my Catholic faith to love one another as He loves us. And this is Peace.
Related Articles:
Words to live by. Thanks for posting this. I think I needed to read this right now. 🙂
Welcome back! Should you wish to read more, there is a comment from Maurice with a link to his post. It’s so inspiring. Take care.
This past July, we visited Warsaw, Poland and got our dose of Poland’s devastation during WWII. Then to Prague, where Terezein, an hour away, was this showcase concentration camp. Then we went through Germany, where evidence of persecution during WWII still abound everywhere.
We should not have short memories. We should remember and tell our children of these unspeakable atrocities, if only to prevent any of it from happening again.
You are absolutely right. Let us pray and hope that this part of history is enough to prevent another holocaust.
What a powerful journey…this post. Beautiful, hopeful, peace-full.
Sometimes the sweetest story tells our saddest tale. Thank you.
A wonderful post…
Thank you.
This is so utterly beautiful. Thank you for standing up and speaking out. Thank you for shining your light. One by one by one we will light the way.
Thank you, Ms. SI. One can no longer live in a four letter word, FEAR. I rather live in LOVE.
Yes, the ripple effect is the way of peace and love. Thanks for this lovely post, seeker.
To compliment your Peace for One day. Thank you, Ela for the inspiration.
Awww, shucks, you’ve made my day! 😀
Why is it that almost all four-letter words about emotions are confusing when we were younger? We gain wisdom as we grow older. (Love, Hate, Pain, Lust, Will, and others.)
Very enlightening post. 🙂
We don’t know any better then, Belsbror. Thank goodness for the words of wisdom from the Wise and Older. Thank you.
Thank you, too, for the inspiration. 🙂
I, too, have my “Eva.” His name is Phillip Riteman. His story of survival and ultimate triumph is one that would move all but the hardest hearts.
Maurice, care to share his link should you have any? Aren’t we lucky to have them.
Here are two:
http://mauriceabarry.wordpress.com/2013/04/05/one-who-speaks-for-the-millions-of-souls/
and
http://www.distance.mun.ca/media/files/riteman/
Maurice, again, thank you for sharing your story about Dr. Riteman. And yes, he is the counterpart of Eva. Such love and courage to educate the rest of humanity. Lets hope that history will not repeat itself.
Their stories need to be re-told and re-told because each new generation needs to re-learn.
Great post.
Oh Mr. DaG, I am blushing. Thank you.
I concur, well spoken!
Thank you.
Well spoken>KB
From a person who has a good command of poetry that moves me, I thank you.