The First Casualty of War…Truth

I recently heard the statement” that ‘Truth is often the first casualty of war.’ This poignant observation got me wondering about the depth of its meaning as I ponder what truth and transparency are regarding our attack on Iran.

The phrase appears to highlight how the chaos and turmoil of conflict can lead to misinformation, propaganda, and manipulation of facts. So, I ask myself, what do I base truth on? Could it possibly be on a solid foundation of crucial clarity and understanding, especially in complex scenarios such as war or political strife? I would think it should rely on verifiable facts, data, and credible sources. Not on a feeling or belief one might have. 

If we bring this down to everyday life, what would our relationships be like if we based our truth on a feeling or belief without the benefit of doubt and the facts to back it up? I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t have very many friends if all I relied on were my feelings, because I can misinterpret the feelings and vibes I get from others. We can create wars within our own relationships without the transparency needed for clarity, so why wouldn’t we expect to uphold the same scenario for all choices made, the big ones as a country, as well as for ourselves? 

I try hard not to let my feelings and emotions lead the way, and those who know me understand this can be a challenge for me, mainly because I am often too kind at the expense of my own well-being and truth. But I don’t give up. I keep looking for a better way by sharing with others, getting others’ thoughts and facts, and seeking clarity before acting, because if I don’t, my own truth becomes the first casualty of my inner wars. 

As I contemplate what I have written, I’m reminded of the words of St. Francis, “Let peace begin with you and me.” At least on a broader scale, this is something we can do. 

Guess What?

Grateful

As I sit here this morning during my time of prayer, daily reading, and contemplation, I’m reminded of all the resources I’ve learned in my lifetime that help create the kind of day that is life-giving. Of course, tuning into God first thing in the morning is like plugging into my main source of life, which gives me a sense of wholeness. My one daughter reminds me to keep in mind how much better I feel when I eat right or go for a walk. When I do Qigong, my chi (energy) flows throughout my body, giving me a sense of balance. Gratitude reminds me of all the good that surrounds me despite the fast-paced changes in the world. While I may not be able to change the course or direction of the bigger things going on, I can choose how I let it affect me in any given moment by remembering what I do have control over.

Today, God has given me another day; how can I not be grateful in every way?

There is a Time for Everything

It was King Solomon who wrote Ecclesactics 3:1-11 in his old age. It was written before the common/Christian era and still gives us reason to pause and reflect today. It doesn’t matter if you are young or old when you read it because just as the season of time changes, so will your perspective on what the words have to teach you today. As I sit watching the rerun of my life play across the visual screen of my mind. I can see the many changing seasons of beliefs, thoughts, challenges, and truths that influenced my decisions at various times. One of the most significant rewards of growing older is seeing how each of those variations has brought me to a better understanding of who I’ve become. Soloman’s words are the signpost pointing the way. Isn’t the whole idea of duality to learn how opposites give us a better understanding of what it means to experience life? I don’t think I could have ever appreciated what it felt like to be loved the way I am if I hadn’t first experienced what it was like to have been abandoned.
When God puts something in my mind, I have come to know that it is always for listening, learning, and sharing. Today, I kept hearing the phrase, there is a time for everything. So I looked up who wrote it, and as I went down the list of everything, one line jumped out: there is a time to be silent and a time to speak.
I have been silent, trying not to get into the political arena. Instead, I have encouraged hope around the political subjects that many of us don’t want to discuss openly. But I can’t be quiet anymore. There’s something too wrong going on, and I have to stand up for what my heart says is right and against what my gut says is wrong. Yes, I’m talking about the election.
I have repeatedly shared that I am not affiliated with any party. Why? When I believe in something, I put my heart and soul into it, and I can’t say I have enough belief in either party to make that kind of commitment. So you might wonder what I base my choice on. I would say action, truth, hopefulness, kindness, and human decency. I watch what comes out of each candidate’s mouth, not relying on media to tell what’s going on but tuning into the various rallies, conventions, and live interviews they give. I don’t expect either candidate to be perfect. We all make mistakes. I made enough mistakes in my line of work at one point or another. All I expect is for either one to do the best they can. I can’t say I agree with everything their agendas represent, so I have to go with where my heart leads me, and it all comes back to love, hope, kindness, and decency. I see more of that in Harris and Walz than in Trump’s negative, fearful approach. I am familiar with what hope can provide when we put our beliefs behind it.
Michelle Obama nailed it for me last night as i watched the democratic convention when she said, “I realize that until recently, I have mourned the dimming of hope. Maybe you’ve experienced the same feelings, deep pit in your stomach, a palpable dread about the future.” Yes!” I shout to myself. That dimming feeling of hope deep in the pit of my stomach. That is precisely the way it feels! I don’t want to feel that way anymore. And you know what she says to that, “Then do something!” So here I am! I’m not going to tell you who to vote for, but instead, I encourage you to vote for hope, decency, and the better good for all, not just the few.

Animal Farm: a political satire that just might open your eyes!

As a writer I enjoyed using metaphoric writing as a tool to bring an article or story to life. I’ve had this story swimming around in my head about the world that exists within each of us with an allegorical lesson behind it. So I’ve been reading various allegory type stories to get a better grip on how to write my own. An allegory could be described as a long metaphor providing a visual lesson using none traditional characters and events that stand for ideas about life with a storyline behind it.

I must admit that I didn’t pay much attention to what the Animal Farm by George Orwell was about until I got my book and started reading it. It was copyrighted in 1946. *Julian Simons wrote, “In a hundred years’ time perhaps, Animal Farm may be simply a fairy story, today it is a political satire with a good deal of point.”

As I was reading it, I kept thinking, come on animals, use your common sense! Listen to that inner voice that’s saying, there’s happening here that feels wrong.

I hope you will read it, and after you do comeback and share your thoughts, and tell me what animal reminds you of yourself. I think I’m most like Benjamin the donkey, sometimes keeping things to myself, living each day as it comes, but not bucking the system as much as I want to.

*introduction page vi

Building Bridges Across the Divide

Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore has been on my mind a lot. I also hear the song, London Bridges Falling Down, going around in my head. However, the Baltimore Bridge didn’t fall down because of foundational issues. It was hit by a big, heavy barge that knocked it over. I’ve also had a lot of the division and lack of connection in our country swirling around in my head. So, it doesn’t surprise me that my mind created a bridge between the two, playing out as a metaphor in my head.

The barge is our country trying to carry all the containers full of fears, conspiracy theories, rhetoric, frustrations, misinformation, anger, and righteousness beneath the bridge of connection. All that heavy discourse eventually loses its power. The country barge drifts with no sense of direction until it runs into the very thing we need the most: the bridge that connects our divide.

This all comes into play as I’ve been praying for a way not to be part of the problem. So, I am inspired to look for ways to help bridge the gap that divides us. I can already hear my ego saying what a daunting task this will be. Have you ever noticed how much the ego gets in the way? Our egos love conflict and playing people against one another. I can always tell when the ego is at work inside me when I find myself saying something unkind about someone. That’s usually when I find myself lamenting like St. Paul, “Oh, why do I do the things I do not want to do?” The ego always has to get the first and last word in and always thinks it’s right. Maybe that’s why it’s called the…ego. While it’s true that my ego is not my biggest fan, it nonetheless teaches me how…I don’t want to be. So, for now, I will help build the bridge of division back up by taming my ego and being more mindful of what I say and do.

”No one is going to listen to you,” I hear the ego saying.

“Go away!” I tell it. But do you see how sneaky that ol’ ego can slip into our thoughts? That’s the daunting task I have to work on. But as they say, if you want to see a change in the world, it must begin with me.

Tied Up In the Knots of My Nots

I love the knot prayer for one reason and one reason alone. It reminds me of what I do “not” do that gets me all tied up in knots in the first place.

“Lord, won’t you kindly untie my knots for me?” I pray.

“Ah…no,” I hear the response in my head. “You tied them up good this time, but as I’ve told you before, if you want to set yourself free, you must untie the knots yourself.”

“But the knots are too tight, and the harder I try to untie them, the tighter they seem to get. Can’t you just untie them this once for me?”

“I can stand behind you and guide the way, but you must use your hands and mind to undo the knots of your “not” doing.”

“Oh…I’ll just go to Rosie, my masseuse. She’ll work all the knots out of me. She uses great oils to help me relax and has lots of good advice on different things I could do, like meditation, deep breathing, and exercises to release the tension.”

“Go for it! “But I just have one question. Have you ever “not” done what Rosie advised?”

“Okay, God! You’ve made your point. I get tied up in knots because my mindless do not, will not, might not, could not, would not, and cannot choices that go against everything I know I should do, but I do have one tiny favor to ask God. Could you help me see myself through your eyes? It could help me stop believing I’m “not” good enough or wise enough to do the things…I think…I cannot do?”

A Woman is Indeed Marvelous!

As I read this beautiful description of how God made woman it made me feel pretty special as a woman myself. I couldn’t think of a better time than now as we celebrating in March, Women’s History Month, not just how far we have come, but how miraculously we have been put together from the get go.

To all of sister woman…here’s to us!

When God created woman he was working late on the 6th day. An angel came by and asked, “Why spend so much time on her?” The Lord answered, “Have you seen all the specifications I have to meet to shape her? She must function in all kinds of situations. She must be able to embrace several kids at the same time. Have a hug that can heal anything from a bruised knee to a broken heart. She must do all this with only two hands. She cures herself when sick and can work 18 hours a day.” The angel was impressed, “Just two hands…impossible! And this is the standard model?” The angel came closer and touched the woman. “But you have made her so soft, Lord.” “She is soft”, said the Lord, “But I have made her strong. You can’t imagine what she can endure and overcome.” “Can she think?” The angel asked. The Lord answered, “Not only can she think, she can reason and negotiate.” The angel touched her cheeks. “Lord, it seems this creation is leaking! You have put too many burdens on her.” “She is not leaking…it is a tear” the Lord corrected the angel. “What’s it for?” Asked the angel. The Lord said, “Tears are her way of expressing her grief, her doubts, her love, her loneliness, her suffering and her pride.” This made a big impression on the angel, “Lord, you are a genius. You thought of everything. A woman is indeed marvellous!” Lord said, “Indeed she is. She has strength that amazes a man. She can handle trouble and carry heavy burdens. She holds happiness, love and opinions. She smiles when she feels like screaming. She sings when she feels like crying. Cries when happy and laughs when afraid. She fights for what she believes in. Her love is unconditional. Her heart is broken when a next-of-kin or a friend dies but she finds strength to get on with life.” The angel asked: “So she is a perfect being?” The Lord replied, “No. She has just one drawback…she often forgets what she is worth.”

-Donna Ashworth

Breaking Down The Barriers

Love is like a free-flowing river that fills every nock, crevice, and cranny of my very being.

Sometimes, of late, though, I have become like the busy beaver mindlessly collecting sticks of frustration, unease, and bewilderment, plugging the holes with the stones of anger it creates in me—I then solidify my embankment with the muddy muck of outside influence. After a few days of floating on the still waters of my discontentment, I feel the loneliness my disconnect has created in me. I have not only disconnected myself from the very heart and soul of who I am, but it also creates a divide between me and others. The dams and walls we put up block the natural flow of our much-needed love. I don’t know about you, but that lack of inward-flowing love makes me feel crazy. But that’s the beauty of love; its current is so strong that the power of its drive can break down any barriers we create.

As I work on pulling apart my dam, I feel the healing power of love wash away the barriers of disconnect, separateness, differences, and ignorance from my mind and quench the thirst of my heart and soul. Only love can break down the barriers we build and bring unity back into our lives.