Perhaps you have some idea that since I am a Peace Elder, that I would be speaking of all that is wrong in this world and be offering solutions. But this is not to be.
Rather let us speak of that which is the Creators greatest gift to human kind. Many people think that it is life. Yet life is given to all around you, in exactly the same way as it was given you, and while it is a great gift, it is not the unique gift of man. Nor is it that great brain that we so pride ourselves with. And while our creativity is a wonderful gift, creativity can be destructive as well as constructive. No! The greatest gift of man is his conscience. That which controls the rights or wrongs of his decisions in the use of the Creator's gifts. This gift though comes with a price, it must be used.
It would not be right for me to tell you of the wrongs of the world. You must allow your conscience to dictate to your senses what is wrong or right and decide the solutions. For it is your path, your life. Only you will ultimately have to answer for it. You cannot vote for someone to be responsible for your actions, you cannot buy that service from anyone else. It is strictly your responsibility, regardless whether you like it or not.
If a hundred people elect one to act for them in this life only one percent of the people will be given credit for doing anything at all.
Perhaps you like many are uncertain as to whether there is to be a final judgement or not. I can not tell you, for I too await that final mystery to unfold so that I will know. But that shall come only after this walk upon this earth. In the meantime, I myself choose to walk this life in such a way as not to be found wanting. For in my mind it would be better to be safe than sorry. For what is a cost of utilizing these realitively few years upon this earth in caring, compared to an eternity of regret.
Perhaps you are like many others out there, thinking only of the comforts of idleness that can be gotten in this life rather than rigors of actually doing something to improve living conditions for those yet to come. That's fine, the Sun shall shine upon the indolent as well as the industrious. You will live until you die, just as any other. Only the mystery awaits you. It is your gamble, I won't question it, for that is your concern.
So what can I, as a Peace Elder offer you? Wisdom? What is wisdom, but the collective thoughts of an individual. They are only the reflections of thoughts that have been thought for years by other even greater minds. There are many out there who have probably gained much more intellegence than I. Many are more than willing to demonstrate it for you. I on the otherhand can only offer you a few words of other greater minds that may tease at your consciousness, so that you may decide whether you would want to think about them.
A great Peace seeker once addressed an assemblege of many tribes in Ohio. His words went something like this. "My people. Do not think for one moment that these lives you now live belong to you and you alone. They do not. Rather they belong just as much to those yet to become. For everything you do,or do not do reflects directly upon them. Even as you cut down a tree, you deny them its fruits and shade, so too do you rob them of the joys you have enjoyed, if you do not preserve them. Thus should you begin each day with but one solid resolve, to live that day with those yet to be born in mind. Not just those that you may see become, but those even to the seventh generation to come. For these bodies we now wear will someday become dusts and be forgotten, even so the memories of our walks here. Only those children shall remain as monuments to this existance we now know."
This great peace seeker went by the name of Tahgahjute, better known as Logan in our history books. Some thought when he gave his great speech under, what was known as Logan's Elm, that he was only mourning the loss of his complete family. But it was really the loss of his entire philosophy of life itself. This story was passed down to me by my Grandparents.
It would truly be nice to be able to say something as stirring to you who read this, but what could this old man add that would more stir the conscience of man. Who of us can ever think that we can just sit idly by and see our great planet denuded of all that we have enjoyed, and not hang our heads in shame as we reflect upon how it robs those of future generations.
Just think how lame the excuse will sound to those future children, when we say, "Well what could we do? All this was in the hands of others."
Who put it in their hands?
Who allowed it to happen?
Who will be there to explain all this to tomorrows children?
Perhaps you may find those answers on the backs of that green paper you have come to adore so much. Maybe that paper can be held up before the Creator of all, when someday you are asked to give an excuse for your lack of action. Do you think it will be taken as an excuse? I personally don't think so. But then it is your gamble. Your decision.
Blue Turtle
Hit drum for prayer
