I want something beautiful to end the week. I want to remember that there is love in the world. I want to say that light does still shine even in the wake of terrible tragedy.
"...what we can't do is use this tragedy as one more occasion to turn on one another. As we discuss these issues, let each of us do so with a good dose of humility. Rather than pointing fingers or assigning blame, let us use this occasion to expand our moral imaginations, to listen to each other more carefully, to sharpen our instincts for empathy, and remind ourselves of all the ways our hopes and dreams are bound together." President Obama, speaking at the memorial for the victims of the shooting in Tucson.
Surely, those words go well beyond the divisions of political ideology and speak to the commonalities in our souls.
Tomorrow is the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. He would have been 82. Dr King taught us that peace is the way, and that fervently striving for what you believe in doesn't require you to trample on the passions of others. Please take a breath and pause for a moment to reflect on how far we've come, and how very far we still have to go.
"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity." Dr Martin Luther King Jr.
Life is a work in progress. Life is a series of challenges. Don't turn away from it when it becomes hard. That's the time to step up and be counted. To speak. To listen. To encourage. To embrace.
It's time to be. It's time to use your words. They have power and consequences. Use them to build up, to bridge over, to make things better.
"I believe we can be better. Those who died here, those who saved lives here - they help me believe. We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another is entirely up to us. I believe that for all our imperfections, we are full of decency and goodness, and that the forces that divide us are not as strong as those that unite us." President Obama.
Smile at people as you move through your day. Live up to your better expectations.
Peace.
As always, if you'd like to join us in the musical fun, the guidelines are basic and simple.
1. Grab the banner, make your post title Five on Friday, and be sure to link back here.2. Go to Playlist.com to make your play list of five songs. You may choose a particular theme to share with us, or post random tunes if that's your vibe for the day. You can simply post the play list, or you can add a little summary about what you are sharing.2a. Don't feel restricted by the tracks listed on Playlist.com. And don't be discouraged if the Embed code won't work. You're welcome to use any type of media to share your Sets.3. Be sure to sign Mr Linky so everyone can visit your Set.4. No tags, but feel free to invite your friends to play along if they need a post topic on a Friday.
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