The violence seems to be escalating, propaganda is so rife in our scary world.  Its hard (actually impossible) to get to the truth when so many powerful groups are willing to grossly twist reality by promoting and exaggerating some news stories and hiding or downplaying other items of news – or downright lying of course.

But actually, I don’t sweat anymore about; whose bomb it was, whose chemical attack it was, which insurgent group it was .. maybe that’s wrong… maybe I should… I guess I sweat more about the results of these attributes .. my attitude does not mean I don’t care whats happening in our world and its people – its totally the opposite.  I kind of stick to what I know is true to make my opinions and drive my behaviour

I know the UK and the US benefit financially from wars across the globe, selling weapons and chemicals to regimes they know are likely to use them in contravention of a raft of International Laws designed to protect civilian populations.

I know the vast majority of Governments prefer to lead a divided population and actively encourage this.  Us humans are the same – its just that any differences are used by those in power to create fear in order to divide and rule.  I love the fact we are all different, I love to hear different languages and hear of different cultures .. I know that these differences are to be welcomed not feared.

I know that the number of people forced to leave their homes in terror and suffering due to the actions of fellow humans has grown exponentially over the last few years.  I know that if this happened to me and my family – I would think that my plight would be met with understanding and  compassion from my fellow humans.  I know that this compassion is unlikely to come from those with real power, those in Government/ the corporate world.  I know that it will instead come from a wide range of people ‘normal’ people who refuse to give up on compassion and humanity – a bottle of water, a dry pair of socks, a coat, an energy bar….

I know that I don’t want walls, fences, borders and barriers to keep me apart from my fellow humans, especially when they need help – a lifeline

I know that we do not inherit this world from our parents, we borrow it from out children – I mean thats inarguable.  Kids are beacons of light.  I watched my 8 year old playing with his friend at the weekend, we were walking out in the countryside.  They were playing an; intense, creative, imaginative game involving arm loads of sticks.  This game went on for a couple of hours, both so involved and engaged, having so much fun.  I do believe the experience will be one they will remember into adulthood.  It was a complete pleasure to be part of it, I still smile when I think of them that day.

 

This peace and joy in childhood should not be a privilege gifted to only children born in a certain country, to a certain social class, but, it is becoming increasingly so.  I think of; families climbing into rickety boats, mothers reassuring their children it will all be OK, children separated from their families – trafficked for sex or body parts, families eating grass and insects to survive…the list is too long to continue

 

We seem to live in a never ending dystopian novel.

However, there is a crack in everything – that’s how the light gets in.  There are cracks everywhere; when overnight groups across the UK mobilise to provide emergency food, water, shelter for displaced families in Dunkirk, the beautiful Syrian lady living a muddy field showing an English lady how to wear a headscarf – laughing and sharing a meal, the children who give up their pocket money to help provide food for the homeless, a young lady standing up to an EDL member – with a self assured dignity.  There are some many examples of light breaking through and its a good job as this is what keeps me sane(ish)

I can’t run no more
with that lawless crowd
while the killers in high places
say their prayers out loud.
But they’ve summoned, they’ve summoned up
a thundercloud
and they’re going to hear from me.

One Love