Our countrymen see the diseased and devastated trees and speak of the color of the leaves.  People in the United States ponder the slow death of the foliage.  They think caterpillars are the cause.  Others, here and abroad dispute this theory and say, “No, it is blight.”  A scientist enters the scene and voices his hypothesis.  His neighbor started the spread of this syndrome; yes, that man is to blame.  Had the national not introduced the dynamic of destruction, all would be well.  Another quiet dissenter enters the fray.  She says, “This virus has existed for centuries.”  No one can change what is and has always been.  A group gathers and grows.  They all argue amongst themselves.  Finally, there is a loud explosion, or was it an implosion.  The tree and all those surrounding it are engulfed in flames.  Within minutes, there is silence.  This world exists no more.
For well over a week now I have witnessed the whirlwind of discussions, disagreements, and dialogues pertaining to rhetoric, religion, and rage.  People are discussing the crisis in Lebanon and Israel.

Persons pose the prospect; President Bush is responsible, culpable, and guilty of causing another war.  No, it is Hamas, Hezbollah, the Israelis, or the Zionists that are liable.  Perchance, the boy next door started this newer war in the Middle East.  After all, he is Lebanese, or is he from Syria.  Nevertheless, he looks suspicious.

Historical facts flitter about.  Feelings flourish and of course, the seemingly practical solutions prosper, or at least people speak of these.  Musings about methods of diplomacy mysteriously rise and fall.  Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice is waiting the “appropriate time” to mediate international relations

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she will travel to the Middle East to help with peace efforts “when it is appropriate and necessary.”  A day earlier, a State Department spokesman said Rice would be traveling to the Middle East for talks, but didn’t specify a timeframe or location for the trip.

Emperor Bush has better things to do.  He need not be bothered with details or even Presidential acts.  King George II knows who is to blame and how to stop all this sh)(*&.  On an open microphone the Bushman said,

“See, the irony is that what they need to do is get Syria to get Hezbollah to stop doing this (expletive) and it’s over.”

 Earlier, at a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, he stated his feeling.  These were intended for public consumption, “Israel has a right to defend herself; every nation must defend herself against terrorist attacks and the killing of innocent life.”

Before the current conflict, Cheney was proud to chime in on Mid-Eastern affairs.

If the leaders of Hamas desire the help of America and the international community to build an independent, prosperous Palestinian state, then the way forward is very clear.  The Palestinian government must recognize Israel’s right to exist.  (Applause.)  And Hamas must renounce terror and dismantle the infrastructure of terror.  (Applause.)  One thing is certain: The United States will not be a party to the establishment of a Palestinian state that sponsors terror and violence.  (Applause.)

Meanwhile, the world is coming apart [the tree is about to implode.]  War is in the wind; it is on the airwaves, and within the hearts, minds, souls, and bodies of many a man and woman.  Yet, it is not here, in America, now.  The combat and brutality exists only in lands far from our home.

Americans sit safely, smugly, and snugly in their quaint little homes.  They cuddle up to their computers, or televisions sets.  They contemplate the causes and effects of battles in Lebanon, Israel, Iraq, and Afghanistan.  United States citizens posture and postulate, they know what is occurring and why.  Rarely do they consider that the facts are just fancy.  They are nice, entertaining, and yes, even interesting.  I love being informed, even if only from a distance.  Actually, in this situation, I rather my awareness be distal.  For I cannot truly imagine the fear, I might feel if bombs were blasting within a few feet of my home.  I wonder during my waking and “restful” hours.

Americans proclaim they care; yet, they do little to effectuate true change.  We can accept and acknowledge what is and what was.  We can advance academic scholarship and all this is essential but not enough is it?  The wars rage on, the dead and maimed pile up.

I am forever told I am an idealist for I do believe war is not an option; for me, it is never necessary.  Some perceive me to be a fatalist, for I fear further doom.  I am certain Condi would accuse me of this.  Secretary of State Rice declared, “It doesn’t help to speculate on kind of apocalyptic scenarios,” though I do not believe that I am predicting an unprecedented future.  I am asking that we assess ourselves before we begin to think that we can “improve” the world for others.

I will again pose what most believe is impossible.  We as a society must look within.  We must teach our children and ourselves to be true to our beliefs.  We must not bellow and then belie our words in our next breath.  Until we walk our talk and work towards peace in our homes, on our streets, in our communities, and within our own country we will not be trusted.  Our hypocritical stance will continue to create conflict.  We must question our human habits.

It came to me that reform should begin at home, and since that day,

I have had no time to remake the world – Will Durant [1885-1981 American Philosopher, Historian, and Writer]

As I realized in my own life, [reference the Mountain Dew Story] and have since shared with others, what we believe is our nature, is actually what was nurtured as we grew.  Many of us have learned to be combative, competitive, and calculating in our personal lives.  None of these characteristics promote peace, tranquility, or calm.  What we do in our personal lives is reflected and projected in our professional existence.  Human beings are profoundly consistent in both the best and the worst ways.

If you choose not to look at yourself, then look at your neighbor, your President, Prime Minister, or perhaps your parent.  

The longest journey is the journey inward. – Dag Hammarskjold  [Swedish Statesman and United Nations official, 1905-1961]

Study their relationships at home or abroad.  Contemplate what they create as members of a Board or a brood.  Ponder what they present and how consistent they are.  If a President, Prime Minister, or a parent is corrupt and combative in one position, they will be so in another.  We are who we are, wherever we are; however, we can be otherwise, if we choose.  For now, most are busy assessing others, telling them they need to change.

Most are contemplating the specifics, the particulars, and the details of war.  They do this all day.  Dissecting the issues within the Middle East has become a daily doing.  Some blog what they believe.  Journalists write what they think is correct.  Pundits pronounce this or that truth, as do politicos.  We twirl and whirl ourselves into a tizzy.  Flame wars ignite throughout this country.  These are the verbal versions of physical strife; they are as hand-to-hand combat.  Americans are engaged in a war of words as they ask for peace.  They revel in conflict as they speak of a desire for calm.

The bickering and bantering continue as individuals strongly stress their idea of the perfect solution.  Yet, little changes.  I believe, until we work on ourselves from within and teach through our example, nothing will.  The cycle will continue, just as it has for centuries!

The pursuit of peace and progress cannot end in a few years in either victory or defeat.

The pursuit of peace and progress, with its trials and its errors, its successes and its setbacks,

can never be relaxed and never abandoned. – Dag Hammarskjold  [Swedish Statesman and United Nations official, 1905-1961]

The pursuit of peace cannot be achieved through external means.  It is an internal truth.  If you talk of peace; yet, you do not walk in peace, then you are denying your truth.  You are pretending to be what you profess.  The world will reflect what is within you; this is what you will teach for it is what you believe.

I understand that habits are a challenge to change; however, until we grow from within, all the world will stay the same, or so I believe.  We will continue to see what we saw, for our perception is our perspective.  If our viewpoint accepts, allows, and advances violence, then violence will be our reality.  If we alter our interpretation of what it is that we see, then what we see will no longer be what it once was.  As we evolve, so too do our thoughts.

It is easier to fight for one’s principles than to live up to them. – Alfred Alder [Austrian psychologist; Founder of School of Individual Psychology]

Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself. – Leo Tolstoi [Russian Author]

I can look at a tree and see beauty or I can envision the bugs buried within the bark.  As I gaze out my window and notice the bend of the tree, I can blame the wind, or I can appreciate that the arch and arbor the leaves create.

I am upset not by events,

But rather by the way, I view them. – Epictetus  [Philosopher, 1st century AD]

What I believe, I will conceive.  I believe the tree is tremendous.  It s branches are abundant; all grow separately; yet they are still connected.  Vegetation is as civilization itself.  There is much splendor and majesty.  There is also the contrast.  Some will love and others will war.  A few will speak of calm; more will cultivate chaos.  There are infinite reasons for every action and reaction.  Compassion and conflict are complex.  Even indifference holds many intricacies.

Nevertheless, I, as do we all, choose whether I will contribute to one characteristic or another.  I need not find reasons for combat.  I need not find grounds for disputes.  Explaining the roots of all evil will eliminate none.  If I am to work towards peace, I must be peaceful in my approach to life and to people.  If I differentiate between those that I admire and those that rub me the wrong way, then I am not truly tranquil.  I can contemplate corruption and controversy.  I can clash with those whose facts differ from my own or I can choose otherwise.  

As I gaze upon the tree and I observe serenity.  It is harmony that I wish to emulate and encourage.

May peace be with you and I.  May we walk the path of wisdom together.  May we never war.  Please let us live and let live.  If you or I want to stop this war or that one, then I think we must end the battles we create in our own world.

He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent.

He who overcomes others is strong; he who overcomes himself is mighty. – Lao-tzu [Father of Taoism]

References for those mired in details, obviously myself among these . . .

Betsy L. Angert Be-Think