OUR MINDS V and MEMORIAL DAY

With temperatures in the 50s F and cloudy skies, it doesn't seem like the Holiday that introduces Summer. Memorial Day is always somewhat iffy in the weather department. I love Minnesota even with its undependable seasons.

I love Holidays too. My first memories of Memorial Day were going to a large park-like cemetery and after visiting some graves we would have a picnic. We would go with my grandparents, I assume the departed were relatives on my Grandmother's side. I was quite young and this was before World War II started. I was five in 1940, perhaps it was around that time.

I think it is great, that we honor those who have fallen in War. It troubles me when some aspects of the celebration become an advertisement for war. War has never solved any of our problems. We need to be careful we don't justify war, because otherwise, we may feel a loved one died unnecessarily. It is a time when patriotism blossoms. Patriotism, as love and respect for one's country, is wonderful. Patriotism meaning, we are better than everybody, else is dangerous. Sometimes patriotism morphs into a justification for war.

Haven't we learned by now that going to war with our problems doesn't solve anything? How successful was the War on Drugs? How about the War on Poverty?

It troubles me, that people of good faith may deal with our problems, by jumping into a Cause. There is nothing wrong with Causes, simply as an idea. In practice they often postulate enemies [those opposed to their idea]. They create good and bad people. Folks are seen as evil rather than mistaken. Those in the Cause, buy into beliefs that they don't examine, so they don't know if they are the mistaken ones. A group can develop, a powerful belief, that they are in the right. A groups function, often, is to reinforce each others sense of correctness.

If we pay attention, we will see, that attacking another's position, generally makes them more stubborn in the adherence of their belief. Rarely, will accusing others of being wrong convince them.

We want to change the world. We can only do that with love and respect. If we are sure we have the most loving position, we hold to it, and express it as best we can. If we are truly loving and peaceful, the others will see. We will gain nothing with ridicule and demonization.

We are going through a major chaotic period on the National and World stage. Are we going to solve our problems, with opposition and war, or are we going to solve them with Love and Peace? Let us extend love to those outside of our tent. Those outside will not be able to resist love.

Love is the only power that will bring the changes we want. Paradise beckons.

Love and Peace, Gregg