For all...

...who lost their lives.

On all sides.

In all wars.

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. 

  ♥

For the fallen...

...lest we forget

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

11/11