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I noticed that usually, when something goes wrong somewhere else, the United States is either blamed for it or called out to help and intervene.  I understand that there are times when war is inevitable so I am not going to question why our troops need to be out there although I also understand that we here have enough problems in our own backyard that also need serious attention and some cleaning up.  So when our young men and women in the military are sent out abroad and forced to fight in someone else's war for whatever reason, be it political, humanitarian, out of sense of responsibility, or for just plain popularity, we here are left without a choice but to pray that our troops will return home whole.  Those who are lucky enough get to go home unscathed.  Sadly, the unlucky ones come back to their loved ones in body bags.  While the rest of them return home badly broken - physically, emotionally and mentally.  They may have left the war but the war never left them.  Like a shadow, it follows them wherever they go.  Like an unwanted baggage, it climbs up on their back without the intention of getting off.  Like a worst nightmare, it paralyzes their dreams and future.  And like a splinter in one's heart, it pierces to the very center - the harder you dig for it, the deeper it buries itself.  

The extent of war does not end within the borders of conflicting territories.  Every bullet missed don't just fall to the ground but ricochets off the hearts of those soldiers fighting in it.  Every missile fired don't just tear the walls surrounding their enemies but also shakes the emotional walls of these soldiers until they crumble.  The freedom that they try to win for the sake of others is the same shackles that bind and cripple these men and women in service once they're back home.  The  war lives inside them which they battle constantly so that hopefully, one day, they too can live a normal life with their families.  Like any other war, it cannot be won by one man alone.  Family, friends and community need to stand side by side to win the fight.  Some win triumphantly, some merely survive, others either throw in the towel or raise the white flag.  

I suppose war has the same effect for every soldier, whether on the offensive or defensive side.  And if a war can tear into bits and pieces strong and brave soldiers who have been trained and prepared for it, just imagine how much it can break tiny and fragile souls apart who were caught in the brutal war unarmed.  Imagine the innocent children, men and women, the elderly.  Those who have no means of defending themselves against the blasts of unnecessary bombings.  Those who have no way of shielding themselves from thousands of stray bullets.  Indeed, our American soldiers are still blessed for despite of everything they have to go through, there is always a warm home waiting for them.  There are those loving arms willing to hold them.  But imagine the children living in the war zones who have to bury their dead parents in the cold with their bare little hands.  Women who are left without their husbands to protect them.  And families without a home to go back to.  What an expensive price to pay for a so-called peace that they never get to enjoy.  Is it really worth it?

Lately, I've been reading a lot of articles, blogs and discussions about the Israel-Palestine conflict.  There are as many pro-Palestine as much as pro-Israel.  I have witnessed how people in this club cursed and called Israel a demon and more...how they wish to burn down Israel to ashes.  As if when Israel disappears, the world will suddenly become a happier and safer place to live in.  I just hope that people will stop spreading hate against each other.  That we'll stop fueling animosity but good will.  May we support life in the name of humanity and justice, regardless of religion.  It is easier to love our own and despise those who are not one of us.  Being a Muslim is not an excuse to support Palestine.  So is being a Jew an excuse to support Israel.  

I am not sorry about Palestine, instead, I am sorry about the innocent lives, the fathers, the mothers, the children, the fear in their eyes, the homes torn apart, the dark future ahead, brought by this endless conflict.  I am sorry about the pains and sufferings they go through, for those who lost their limbs protecting their homes, for those who died protecting their lands, for those who were robbed the chance to live a better life.  It's not about who's Jew, who's Catholic, who's Buddhist or who's Muslim.  It's about the equal rights of each person breathing to live in freedom and safety regardless of his faith.  None of us have the right to decide who should or shouldn't live.  Let's not justify an act of injustice in response to another act of violence.  Otherwise, it's not peace that we are truly seeking for but vengeance; not justice but revenge.  

If we really want peace, maybe we should quit squabbling with one another.  Maybe it is not really necessary to crush and stomp on another's belief just to prove that ours is better.  Unless our goal is to nurture ill feelings towards each other, enmity will never end, and peace will never come.  

If we sincerely want peace, let's start doing something about it.  Let's start making a difference from the inside out.  Our little effort may not change the whole world, but together, our efforts can make a difference.  Instead of raising another generation of Nazis, terrorists, murderers, hatemongers and racists, I hope that we can raise a new generation of peace loving and gentle people with greater understanding and respect for human life.  Somebody said that unless you dig a hole, plant a tree, water it and make it survive, you haven't done a thing...you are just talking! One man may only be able to plant one tree, but that one tree can start a forest.  However, it is up to us to decide what kind of seed we want to plant - seed of hatred or seed of love, keeping in mind that whatever we sow, that we also reap.

THE FRIENDSHIP TREE

Maybe I am daydreaming.  But I know for a fact that I am only able to sit and daydream in the shade today because someone planted this tree a long time ago.  Just like each of us here, we are enjoying the freedom that we often tend to abuse and sometimes take for granted...the freedom that we did not earn but paid for by someone else.  Great men and women secure and protect this freedom for us by sacrificing their lives every single day so we can exercise this very right for what it stands for - living the way we want to, whether in hatred or in love.  We may not be able to stop an ongoing war but we can help stop creating the next one.  Together, we can help spare the world another bitter war and spare another child from losing an entire family.  If this is still daydreaming, oh heck, after all, it's free!

Note:  If you are interested in reading uplifting blogs, you may want to check Better World With Love, a blog written by Zivar.