lavender
Cautiously Optimistic
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2001
- Posts
- 25,108
I know this is probably a weird way to phrase this question - but I was just thinking about this as I smoked a cigarette out on the calm balcony with trees lightly moving in a warm breeze.
Things here seemed so peaceful, so normal, so different from what people in other parts of the world - and even on our own continent face. At times like these, a twinge of guilt crosses over me. Nothing, more than birth, has separated me from these people - for the most part. I just happened to luck out and be born in a more developed society. I just happened to not be born into a war-torn nation. I just happened to be born in a free society. I just happened to be born to parents who were wonderful and provided me a comfortable, financially stable, and loving household. I just happened to have things fall into place for me.
When I think of the people in Iraq who have had to live under Hussein's power. When I think of the fact that on NPR they were talking about the fatalistic nature of the people - because they just think it's another, in a long line of wars, I can't help but feel that guilt. I mean people were literally asserting that why not keep things as normal - for them, war, violence, is the norm.
Then I think of our young troops - those young, young men and women - enlisted. They are fighting - experiencing brutality, fear and demonstrating courage I doubt they knew they were capable of.
When I think of areas such as Angola, Tibet, The Congo, North Korea, so many deprived peoples, a feeling of guilt does engulf me momentarily.
I know guilt isn't really the appropriate feeling to have. Trust me, I am so glad, and understand how blessed I am, to have a stable nation and a stable family.
Sometimes we take for granted these things we have. We moan and groan about our inadequacies, the unfair nature of life, and other little insignificant things - that seem so very significant (and sometimes they are).
Ok, I think I'm done rambling.
Things here seemed so peaceful, so normal, so different from what people in other parts of the world - and even on our own continent face. At times like these, a twinge of guilt crosses over me. Nothing, more than birth, has separated me from these people - for the most part. I just happened to luck out and be born in a more developed society. I just happened to not be born into a war-torn nation. I just happened to be born in a free society. I just happened to be born to parents who were wonderful and provided me a comfortable, financially stable, and loving household. I just happened to have things fall into place for me.
When I think of the people in Iraq who have had to live under Hussein's power. When I think of the fact that on NPR they were talking about the fatalistic nature of the people - because they just think it's another, in a long line of wars, I can't help but feel that guilt. I mean people were literally asserting that why not keep things as normal - for them, war, violence, is the norm.
Then I think of our young troops - those young, young men and women - enlisted. They are fighting - experiencing brutality, fear and demonstrating courage I doubt they knew they were capable of.
When I think of areas such as Angola, Tibet, The Congo, North Korea, so many deprived peoples, a feeling of guilt does engulf me momentarily.
I know guilt isn't really the appropriate feeling to have. Trust me, I am so glad, and understand how blessed I am, to have a stable nation and a stable family.
Sometimes we take for granted these things we have. We moan and groan about our inadequacies, the unfair nature of life, and other little insignificant things - that seem so very significant (and sometimes they are).
Ok, I think I'm done rambling.
