War is not our past

Politicians wear poppies but gladly sell weapons to Saudi forces who use them to arm civil wars raging in the Middle East. 

War has always occur; and as long as Humans shall exist it will probably be so. But that does not mean we should not try to prevent it amd protect those whom it currently engulfs.

For many of us in the west, war is an archaic far fledge entity from the past, but for many war is an ever present reality. It is not something they can observe on a school trip to a museum because it already stares then in the face as they look upon the ruins of their classrooms.

We can change the channel, we can turn off the TV, we can turn down the radio or skip the page in the newspaper but they cannot skip the death and destruction, there is no off button on reality.

They try to escape just as we to tried to evacuate our children. They step on to an over crowded vessel accepting that they could drown and choke on the salty sea water but they accept the risk in the hope that there is something greater than the clutches of war.

We say never again but it still it continues. Because it is not our war to fight. Not in our interest. But I beg to differ, for surely it is in the interest of the human race to uphold peace and humanity for all its members. War is not the past, it is the present and we must continue to find peace in our future.

A reminder to appreciate who you are

Life goes by so fast, it's constantly filled with frantic commotion, things to do, places to be, and people to see. We become to tangle up in our own reality. The lens through which we see the world becomes smaller and smaller.

So here's a reminder to just stop a minute. To step back from everything. Stop worrying about the next thing you have to do. Stop agonising over things you can't change. Take stock, get a little perspective.

Appreciate what you have. Aspire to want better but do not pressure yourself. You will gain if you work hard but do not lose sight of the important things you do have, that if taken away, you'd sorely miss.

Appreciate those you love. Sometimes we take people for granted, we don't tell them how much we love them as much as we should. Value each person's contribution to your life, even the people who've hurt you, they've made you who you are.

Appreciate your health. Be kind to yourself. Look after the parts of you that need greater care. Have the strength to ask for help and trust in yourself and others.

Appreciate the world around you. There's so much beauty in everything. It what something means that makes it beautiful. Remember how places made you feel, remember the memories but don't forget to make new ones.

But most all appreciate yourself. No one else is you, remember you can change the world, your impact may be small but it will be felt. We all have a line to say in this play. Trust who you are. May you see the full value of who you are.