Forgiveness, Healing and Peace

We're all still reeling from the events of 9-11! The physical damage we're shown daily is incomprehensible, the loss of life horrific. We are just beginning to understand some of the economic ramifications, and we wait with mixed emotions for the specifics of our government's response.

It's absolutely shocking to discover that, as a country and people, we're hated by some, and that some of those are determined to maim and kills us. It's awful to see our fellow Americans vent wrath on Arab Americans and target members of the Islam faith with rage and vengeance.

We're incredibly moved by the bravery of the fire and rescue teams. The story of how the passengers of United Flight 93 somehow forced that plane down in a field before it got to Washington - at the sacrifice of their own lives, and encouraged by their families over cell phones - is positively mind blowing!

Our Program is specific about our need to forgive. On page 66 in "How It Works," the Big Book says in part, "...we realized that the people who wronged us were perhaps spiritually sick...'God save me from being angry.'" And "We avoid retaliation..." It goes on: "Putting out of our minds the wrongs others had done, we resolutely looked for our own mistakes. Where had we been selfish, dishonest, self-seeking and frightened?"

Although we generally think of these passages as dealing with our own, very personal inventory, the instructions offer a path for us as a country as well. We do belong to the larger world, and our actions as a nation are not always selfless.

What's needed, both for ourselves as individuals, and for us as Americans, is an honest self-examination and a balanced view. We also need a large dose of compassion and forgiveness. For it is only with a truly humble attitude - a desire to seek and know God's will - that we can decide exactly what sort of response we want to make. The ultimate goal is, I submit, world peace and true prosperity for all.

Some Action You Can Take

Donate blood - The American Red Cross has a form you can fill out online and someone will call you to schedule an appointment-or find your local chapter here by entering your zip code below the fold on the left. http://redcross.advertising.com/help.html / http://www.redcross.org/ Click at The Hunger Site to donate food - no cost. http://www.thehungersite.com/ Click at Care2 to donate to Red Cross disaster relief efforts - no cost. http://www.care2.com/relief/ If you have a PayPal account, you can donate to the Red Cross there - the links is below the fold on the left. About.com provides links to volunteering. http://websearch.about.com/cs/donateblood/index.htm Amazon.com is also accepting donations to the Red Cross. http://www.amazon.com The Petition Site has a Call for Peace and Justice you can sign via the net plus valuable perspective on the events and our response - take some time looking over this site. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/ Read what one Afghan-American has to say. www.salon.com/news/feature/2001/09/14/afghanistan/index.html Pray Peace Send someone, lots of people, a hug... we can all use them. http://www.hugsforacure.ca/sendahug.html

My vision today is the world surrounded in love, light and peace.Love and blessings to you and everyone 'round the world.

A 911 article http://www.powerfullyrecovered.com/articles/terrorism.htm nnn