Tuesday 13 November 2012

Thoughts from a heavy heart


After a very busy week creating and making for up-coming Christmas markets, I took time out to remember the brave souls who fought and lost their lives in wars throughout the years, and to think of those fighting today in far off lands.

And, along with many others, I shed silent tears and thought upon the ugliness of war. 
The violence. The devastation. The pain. The sadness. The repercussions. To all nations. On all sides.

My heart grew heavy with the thinking of it all.

Then, my thoughts turned to the ugliness of inhumanity. Ugliness abounds. Not just on the battlefields.

On the streets, where thugs and criminals take lives and property, without the right to.

On the roads, where rage replaces patience.

In the home, where children lose their innocence too soon, against their will. And partners take abuse from those who profess they ‘love them’.

In the workplace, where those who should know better, exact their pound of flesh and take advantage of employees simply trying to make a meagre wage for their families.

On the internet, where predators prowl in seclusion. And cowardly bullies, hidden behind LCD screens, create a living hell for their chosen victims to dwell in.

In politically suppressed and oppressed countries, where peaceable people are persecuted and driven from their beloved homes.

The world over, with the ever increasing emotional detachment by those who mistreat animals for greed, entertainment, food.
 
And, from those who don’t consider where their food came from and how it arrived on their plate. The suffering involved. Short lives lived in misery to the end.

The burgeoning fast food outlets that encourage fast eating and bad food habits - gross producers of gut putty.


A world of disconnectedness. Of violence and injustice and, inhumanity.


Research tells me that humanity is the quality of being humane - of kindness and benevolence. Of a disposition to relieve persons or animals in distress, and to treat all creatures with kindness and tenderness.

I know that there is beauty in the world and true goodness in much of humanity. And, it is so good to be grateful for what we have... food, shelter, warmth, freedom, love.
But there are times, for me, when it seems right to spare a thought for those who suffer inhumanely at the hands of others. To feel, really feel, for them. They mustn't be ignored. 

I believe that it is important to act, if one can, in any way – large or small. To make life a little better… for someone, in some way. For humans and all living creatures. For that is how the world can keep its humanity.
I’m not perfect, far from it. No one is. But...

... even a simple act of kindness, can make a huge difference.

And so, in these reflective times, when my heart weighs heavy, I turn to phrases like this:

You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty”.
Mahatma Gandhi



If you would like to share any favourite uplifting quotes, please do. I would love to read them. 
 



8 comments:

  1. even our hearts are sad at the same time?
    sometimes this world is simply too much with me.
    and that has been happening of late.
    i am grateful for everything and everyone in my life. but sometimes man's inhumanity is like a rock tied round my neck and i just go down.
    for the third time.
    thank you for gandhi's quote. i love him.
    i should read him when i feel like this.
    thank you for being there on the other side of the world!
    xo
    tam

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  2. Kinred souls. There is way too much ugliness in the world. I do what I can to combat it, knowing that it is not enough. I take pleasure in the garden, in the birds, in my eclectic library. And I take an immense amount of pleasure in the wonderful people I have met in the blogosphere. People who make me laugh, people who make me cry, people who educate me, people who entertain me. And some people who can do all of these things in a single post. Yes, there is ugliness - but there is also magic.

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    1. You do what you can, and you are aware - that's so important. Important to be aware. Even that can make a difference.
      It's the deliberate ignorance and non-awareness that's part of the problem I think.

      And yes, magic. So true.
      "Those who don't believe in magic will never find it". Roald Dahl.

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  3. What a beautiful post. This is very real, and honest. This is well written. The magic happens when we are aware of the truth behind our fears, acknowledging them and flowing with the waves of each day.

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    1. Thank you Kim.

      Yes, a certain 'something' happens when we allow ourselves to feel the heaviness - to go with the flow - and then ask, "what can I do?"
      Then, if we mean it and are really aware, the chance presents itself. Something happens... that is magic indeed :)

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  4. This was incredibly profound and beautifully expressed, Vicki... So much to think about here. I must read more. Our faith in humanity waivers sometimes. I find that trying to meditate on the essential good nature of people eases the mind a bit. We live in world where crazy things happen. But we must continue to hope... ((HUGS))

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    1. I quite agree Tracy. Hope. Along with trust... and awareness.

      I believe still, that at times, it's OK to feel heart heavy with the world and some of it's inhabitants. It reminds us to endeavour to connect with those who need us and help in some way.

      It's a balancing act, this life on earth :)
      xx

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