“Only peace can make peace – Not war.”

-Leslie Cabral

I was in my co-worker Renee’s cubical today and somehow we got on the subject of the ongoing war in Iraq.  I found myself discussing the conflict I run into within myself with my feelings about things such as war, politics, and which wing I fly with politically.  As we were talking, I suddenly heard myself say out loud “Only peace can make peace – Not war.”  Renee immediately wrote that on her white board and called it one of my “Leslie-isims.”  After I said that sentence I felt like time just stopped for a moment and I realized it was one of those moments where I heard (what I call) “serendipity sirens” going off in my mind.  I felt I had just realized something important.  I suppose I did.  I suppose I finally admitted to myself that I do not believe that war has ever or will ever solve anything.

With that said, coming from a long line of right-wing republicans and military-enlisted family, I do believe that we, as America, need to defend ourselves.  I do not proclaim to have a solution as to how we can do this without inflicting war on another country, but, I just know in my heart there has got to be a way to make a better plan. 

A very long time ago, America opened its borders to anyone who wanted to properly cross.  We have the expression “the arms of America” for a reason – we opened our arms to those in other countries who wanted to partake in the great opportunities our great country has to offer. However, as always happens when we open our hearts, we make ourselves vulnerable; we risk getting hurt.  Indeed, we did get hurt.  Many times we have gotten hurt with the most recent time falling on 9/11/01.  What do we do in our personal life when we get hurt?  Do we bear arms and pull the trigger on anyone who hurts us?  No, we do not.  (Well, not unless you are playing an actor in a negative-message TV movie.)  We should, however, proceed with caution.  From hurt we hopefully learn.  From hurt, we hopefully grow.  Hopefully, we take care of ourselves while at the same time becoming wiser and stronger.  Hope-fully.

My concern about myself when I state that “only peace can make peace” is this:  Does this mean I’ve forgotten 9/11?  Does this mean I’ve forgotten Pearl Harbor, Oklahoma City or the first World Trade Center bombings?  No, of course not.  These events still make my heart cry whenever they enter my mind.  But, as a spiritual being living here on Earth, I cannot lie to myself and pretend that war makes sense to me. Because it simply does not.  As a matter of fact, anyone who claims that killing makes sense to them is lying to themselves on some level. It’s not just war that does not make sense – it’s many of the things that happen in our world that do not make sense.  What we need to do is just accept that these things will not make sense - ever.  We have to accept that not everything has an explanation.  We have to accept that not everything has a solution.  As I say in my book Soul Messages, I believe that the only way to eliminate fear is to move into “acceptance.”  What is our other choice?  To live in fear?  To live in anger?  To live with the intention of revenge?  I myself, as the tiny dot on the world’s radar named Leslie, cannot come up with another way.  I can disagree.  I can be angry.  I can be hurt.  But so often what I cannot do is understand “why.”  If I do not accept that at times, I would be miserable.  Perhaps wiser people know better, but as for me, right now I do not know of a better way than to simply accept that there will always be things in this world that I cannot make sense of.

When we had our last presidential election, I voted for George Bush.  I’m guessing I would vote for him again tomorrow, but that’s just a guess (It depends who would be running against him.)  It upsets me to see our country’s loss of respect to the President of the United States – the President that the majority elected.  It upsets me to hear a song on the radio “trashing” our President for doing things the way he believes they need to be done.  It doesn’t mean I agree with it, it just means that I need to respect that he is our President.  What happened to the days when we honored that position?  I’m not sure.  There is just no way that we can ever all agree – that will never happen.  So, I try to accept that things are how they are and I believe there is a purpose for every thing being just the way it is.  I remind myself that sending negative, angry energy does NOTHING except creates more negative, angry energy.  I remind myself that what I send out is always returned to me.

I think President Bush is a good man.  I think he’s doing the best he possibly can in a no-win situation.  This is the story and path he chose for himself and he must live it.  This is the man that most Americans elected.  On the other hand, should we elect a pacifist and see if my theory is supported that we can only make peace with peace?  Would that put us in jeopardy for another attack?  A greater attack?  If only I knew that answer – well, then perhaps “I’d be somebody!”  There is no way to know that answer is what I believe.

I don’t like when people proclaim to know the future.  I don’t like when people proclaim to possess a solution to something that has no solution.  The solution is peace.  But how on Earth do we attain that?  With “Earth” being the key word, perhaps world peace is something that is just not going to be.  I think the best we can do is attain self-peace.  Peace of mind.  Peace of our own spirit.  After all, that is why we are really here – to grow on our own personal journey.  If you had proof positive evidence right now that your life is about you and only you – noone else and nothing else, well, what would you get up and do tomorrow?

So where does this leave us a country?  Well, for one thing, it should leave us “together.”  We should unite.  Not divide.  If only we could unite even though we have divided opinions!  Now, there’s a miracle waiting to happen.  I believe we can.  We did on September 12 – why not today?  Somehow, there must be a way.  Are you willing to share your thoughts with me as to how to find one?

Being a Libra, I’ve been aware for a long time about my ability to see all sides of a situation.  In this world remaining balanced and open can be tough because we are expected to “take sides” or “form an opinion” because then we stand for something – or so “they” say.  If I see all sides, that makes me a hypocrite or contradictory right?  Sorry to those who may label me as this, but I disagree.  I feel that when we can see all sides to a story, we are seeing with our spirit eyes; we are avoiding judgment; we are open.  I will not proclaim that my way is the best way and that the rest of the world should conform to my way.  This is not why we are here.  I for one am happy to see all sides of a situation.  I for one am happy that I don’t feel obligated to say I am right-wing or left-wing or pro-choice or pro-life.  My question is this to whoever created the 2 political wings:  Where’s the 3^rd wing?  I for one bet I could fly a lot better if I had a third wing!  At the risk of sounding naive, weak, or foolish, I do know I stand for one thing:  Love.  It’s not only the best way; it is the only way.  No matter what the results, if something is done out of love, it can never be wrong.  I don’t think anyone can sway me there.

Then again, I am still learning.  I’m always opening to learning.  I’m always open to change.  Right now, I’m grateful that not only do I know where my head is at, but I know that my head accepts what is in my heart and I’m not afraid to accept that.

Wishing you many peace and blessings in our time.  Welcoming your feedback.

Shanti (peace be unto you),

Leslie

Leslie Cabral

Creator/Owner Soul Messages

Website: www.soulmessages.net

Email:  Leslie@SoulMessages.net

Blog: http://soulmessages.wordpress.com