The Summer Olympic Games in Beijing have come to an end and so has the amazing display of global unity! Reality is that we are still very divided along political and geographical lines, not to mention social and economic ones! The heartwarming experiences of the last two weeks though serve to remind us all that we are indeed one global family.
One of the most interesting sidebars from NBC's pundits recounted the story of an American ping pong player , Glenn Cowan, who broke the rules at a World Championship in Japan in 1971 and found himself alone with the Communist Chinese team, on the wrong bus to the stadium! Thanks to the Chinese penchant for hospitality, forbidden conversations took place leading to gift exchanges, press coverage and ultimately an invitation to play ping pong in China issued on the instruction of Chairman Mao himself! This action of a maverick US ping pong player directly led to the restoration of relationship between the US and China after more than 20 years of complete international isolation! Because of this single exchange the possibility of a Beijing Olympic Games became a reality!
J K Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books writes this: "One of the many things I learned studying classics at the age of 18, in search of something I could not then define, was this, written by the Greek author Plutarch: 'What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.' This astonishing statement expresses, in part, our inescapable connection with the outside world, the fact that we touch other people's lives simply by existing. We do not need magic to change the world. We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already!"
We now find ourselves in the midst of a momentous struggle to elect a new President of the US. No matter what your political viewpoint and background, think of politics as the vehicle by which the values of love and forgiveness, healing and charity are dispensed to our nation and the world. Unless we elect politicians that truly believe that we are a global family. Unless we work with all our might to share the wealth and privilege that many in the West enjoy. Unless we put love and forgiveness first in our dealings with one another both here and abroad then we can just forget about a bright and safe future for our children and grandchildren. Love is the only way, the right way, the way forward. May we set aside religion, partisan politics and self serving agendas and take the risk of putting ourselves out there to change the world - one person at a time. Thinking globally, and acting locally, let us reach out with love, compassion and forgiveness to our friends, family and neighbors - those we know and those we don't. We are all one family, one nation and one world!
A Jewish leader moved to a Midwestern town and soon began to be harassed by a physically handicapped KKK Grand Dragon. The threats were hateful and violent. After reminding the perpetrator that his Nazi idols went after physical disabilities even before they began ethnic cleansing, he began to extend love and compassion in response to the continual onslaught of hate. After some tense and fearful times for his family the Jew invited the Clansman into his home when he became too ill to care for himself. He stayed there until his death, embracing his new brother and renouncing hatred. This one man was able to effect a change of heart of one most would consider beyond redemption! Love won out!
Let us, as individuals, families, cities and nations extend ourselves with love and tap into the essence of the universe and the one way to sure success - even though the cost may be great! Robert Kennedy said: "Each time a person stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others — he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope. And crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."
Let us join the fight and change the world - one ripple of love at a time!!
Love and Peace - Geoff
