While all the challenges that face our nation may not be the worst in recorded history, they seem so to many of us. This is a time of great division, confusion and politicization of issues, and there doesn’t seem to be anyone on the horizon anywhere who is capable of resolving the problems we have brought on ourselves.
Many still believe that the only way in which change will occur is by revolutionary acts against the powers that be. It’s not far fetched to ask those people to look at what is happening in the Middle East and answer a question that goes begging. Elaine on the Seinfeld television show may have answered it best when she announced [sadly, albeit erroneously] that the original title of Tolstoy’s “War and Peace” was intended to be “War: What Is It Good For?”
Throughout history warriors with swords have been the instrument of change—for both good and bad. This method of ushering in change has simply been going on for so long that it has become accepted as the norm. We must stop this crazy cycle.
Waging war as a form of conflict resolution isn’t the answer – and many people in the civilized world recognize that fact. The obvious challenge is to find different, peaceful and humane solutions. I believe that once this awareness is widespread humanity will evolve past this primitive and irrational mentality.
In the meantime, the world is facing a time of momentous change and we need the brightest and best to guide our country. After many passionate conversations with knowledgeable and thoughtful activist friends, they ultimately and wearily voice the same hope that many Americans hold—that someone will emerge who can show us the way. The challenge is they don’t believe that this hoped-for warrior of change will come from the political arena.
I began thinking about our country’s early history and remembered a famous writer from that period. Thomas Paine had a grand vision for society and wrote “simple facts, plain arguments and common sense” to further the good of our fledgling nation. Perhaps what we should be seeking are word warriors who will courageously bring forth sane solutions to our problems and help create a new vision for our nation so that the U.S. can truly be a benevolent agent of change in the world.
I know there are millions of like-minded Americans who yearn to feel their hearts soar with pride when our country renews its commitment to fulfilling the great potential that was the dream and vision of our founding fathers.
It is time for each of us to become the leader we have been waiting for—in our homes, schools, neighborhoods, communities—anywhere there is a need!
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Copyright 2007 by Fern Stewart Welch
The author’s book THE HEART KNOWS THE WAY—How to Follow Your Heart to a Conscious Connection with the Divine Spirit Within is available from Amazon.com, other online booksellers, and through major bookstores such as Barnes & Noble and Borders.
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