Last night I did what I normally do, I turned on the tv and went to bed (I like to fall asleep with the tv on.) Normally I put CNN on because it’s very easy to fall asleep to Anderson Cooper (no offense to him, I just think his tone is soothing.) Well… last night he ran an incredibly sad story about a little life taken by a sniper in the ongoing violence in Syria. Her lifeless body lying in the street, blood running from her head, people crying out in pain. Her name was O’laa Jablawi. She was only 2 years old. Her father was also shot trying to help her.
My heart wrenched and ached and I sobbed. Tears flowed down my cheeks. I looked away but her tiny, expressionless face had already been imprinted on my mind and heart. I woke up at 4am this morning with the thoughts of this little one in my head. I can envision her bloodied, tiny form lying on the cold cement, a parents worst nightmare in any country, in any religion, in any race. Hate knows no boundary. Senseless violence cannot be undone.
You are probably asking yourself what this story could possibly have with the idea of living Zen. Well, I used to ask “what is wrong with people in the world?” and I could find a million different answers. There is so much suffering and violence. Whether it’s in our own Country, or in any location on Earth… just close your eyes, point to a map and you’ll find it. There are always going to be people who feel like what is happening in the world doesn’t apply to them. Either they don’t see it, don’t live it, or don’t care. These tragedies, this violence, world hunger, suffering, and economic downfall impact all of us whether we live it or not. Why? Because we all connected energy. Whatever your religion, whatever you believe, whomever you believe in… we ARE all connected. One can ignore all the negative they want but it still affects them.
We need to wake up as a people. To open our minds and hearts. To appreciate all that we have, no matter our circumstance. To cherish the earth and all that reside here. To pay attention to our environment. To stop seeing our differences and start figuring out that we’re actually all the same! I’m going to stop asking myself, “what is wrong with the world”. From now on I will ask, “what is RIGHT with the world.” There are SO MANY things right in the world! Call me crazy but we’ve seen how positive thought can change people and events. One example is how the world came together after the events of 9/11/01. You could literally feel the spirit of people. You could sense and feel the energy of people all over the world. Imagine what the world would be like today if we were willing and able to have kept that feeling, that consciousness of energy, going in our hearts and minds since that tragic day.
When we start looking at what is right in the world, our focus will be directed toward positive rather than negative. The more positive energy out there the better. The human race, the environment, everything… can begin to heal with a focus on the positive. By looking out for the spirit, the soul, or the energy — of all others… we are in turn looking out for ourselves. Use whatever method best fits you, whether it’s prayer, meditation, positive thinking — and shine that positive energy! Let’s never forget those who are losing their lives by violence, hunger, illness, or tragedy. Maybe their stories are happening to wake us all up to the fact that we do not have to destroy ourselves! One of our basic traits is humanity for God’s sake. Think about what is RIGHT in the world. Draw your attention, your thoughts, your focus to it. Let the positive flow out! Let that positive energy radiate! Let us uplift each other. Let us never forget the O’laa Jablawi’s of the world.
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