You Have Choices

I recently completed writing Forgiving the Unforgivable, the true story of how 23 survivors of the 2008 Mumbai Terrorist attacks forgave the terrorists who killed their two friends. They were unanimous in rejecting calls for vengeance. "Why do as they did?" they asked with one voice. Each of them made a choice to express compassion and understanding instead of hatred. "It's how the world changes," one said.

They inspired me to check my own knee jerk reactions. Just because someone behaves badly, why should I? Isn't inspiration needed, an alternative that demonstrates a healthier option?

After 911 Bush vowed to "punish the evil-doers." That's responding in kind, trading hate for hate. It's an old testament approach, an eye for an eye strategy that renders the whole world blind. And, blind we are, fighting a war on terrorism, drugs, etc.

The hypocracy is breath taking. Reminds me of Tom Lehrer's 60's folk song, National Brotherhood Week, and the way he introduced it: "There are some people who do not love their fellow man... and I hate people like that!"

The world becomes immediately more peaceful when I choose to express peace. I have more love in my life the moment I choose to express more love. Forgiveness happens because of me, any time I choose it. Forgiveness of any who have wronged me, forgiveness of myself.

What are we waiting for? What happens on the inside reflects on the outside.

You have choices.