Looking out the window this morning, it is hard to believe that meteorological Spring started last week. The air is dank and the mist is slowly lifting. The cycle of life continues; the snowdrops have faded and the daffodils are in bloom. Winter is turning into Spring, the days are getting longer and when the sun shines, I feel my spirit’s lift.

As we look around the world and the chaos that is ensuing at this time, I find it helpful to focus on the cycle of life; what goes up must come down. I also remind myself that out of chaos comes clarity. As war rages in increasing circles, I am deeply saddened that the wisdom to learn from history appears to be completely absent. History shows us that empires fold, dictatorships collapse, countries rise and countries fall. The question in my head is constantly ‘What is the purpose of inflicting such pain on others?’  What is it that makes one man feel more superior or powerful that another? The desire to crush others to feel worthy or important cuts into the very core of humanity.

I feel totally helpless as I see countries reduced to rubble and the suffering of people, little children wandering around in piles of rubble, people scrabbling through the destruction to find their loved ones. The pain is palpable and yet it continues.

At these times I remind myself of the great leaders throughout history who brought peace, some at great personal cost. People, like Mandela who transformed from someone who fought authority to someone who became one of the greatest leaders of our time, bringing peace to his troubled country, enabling people of different faiths and cultures to live side by side.  I also think about the times I spent with indigenous people in the Americas and beyond who taught me about genuine integrity, to find peace within myself, to live simply and respect others.

I am currently holding on to the knowledge that peace and balance will return, that the cycle of life will continue and the hope that one day humanity will learn to live together. We are different and yet we are the same; we may look slightly different on the outside, have different beliefs but deep down, we are all the same. Deep in our core we all want to be loved.  It may be hard to see that at times, but this brings me a glimmer of hope.

The following quote helps me to make sense of life in this chaotic world ‘Change the things that can be changed, accept those that cannot and have the wisdom to know the difference’ Richard Carlson