indifference

I have said before, and I think it is fundamental to the peace movement, that peace starts with a change of attitude in each one of us.

One of the hurdles we MUST overcome if we are to advance as a civilization is our callous indifference towards other living beings. We are not willing to put our selves out on a limb and show any kind of compassion towards others because, when we do, we are seen as weak; especially men.

When I tell people I cried the first time I heard a pig scream, they almost always make fun of me. Not because they really think it is funny, but because they use that as a way to hide their own feelings of sorrow. The idea that compassion is looked upon as weakness has caused us to train ourselves to be indifferent.

Another cause of indifference is our own selfishness. 80% of the wealth of the world is controlled by 10% of its population. That, to me, is an almost unfathomable statistic. I look at the richest people in the U.S.; at how they live, the way they spend, etc…; and I think, “My god, how do they sleep at night?”

Their indifference is fueled by selfishness and greed. It is fueled by the idea that their own personal possessions are more important than the wellbeing of others.

Consider that this year Tiger Woods will make 100 MILLION dollars. That is $273,972 A DAY for ONE SINGLE PERSON!

How, if there is that kind of money floating around, is homelessness and hunger still a problem in the world?

Complete and total indifference.

It may seem strange that I would talk about hunger and homelessness with regard to peace, but it all ties in with indifference.

In war, they call the innocent children killed by wayward bullets “collateral damage” and they talk about them as an inevitable cost of war. If people were unwilling to accept this; unwilling to be indifferent toward innocent people dying; war could not take place – everyone would be too worried about killing an innocent person, and thus unable to fire their weapon.

These ideas that I offer are too often dismissed as “Wishful thinking” and unrealistic. This goes to show that a change in mentality IS in fact needed. It is sad and disheartening that saying “compassion could end war” is looked at as a childish notion when, really, it is the only thing that could work.

I challenge anyone who reads this to look at their lives and examine their own indifference on a daily basis.

Can you spare a dollar for the homeless guy? Can you give can goods to a shelter? Can you do something so small as to not kill the spider in your living room?

All these things lead to a change in attitude and if you believe as I do – that a change is needed – then how can you not at least make an effort?