Looking Into Another's Eyes

When we look into the eyes of another person, what do we see?  We tend to look for similarities, when we are attracted to that person in friendship or love.  But when we feel fear, we look for the differences.  This is what happens when prejudices abound.  This is what is capitalized upon by those who benefit from the bounty of war.

Think about it for a moment.  Why do we tend to dislike people from foreign countries?  Is it because we have personally had a negative experience with them?  If some individual has done us wrong and they are from another country, do we assume that all of the people from that place are the same way?  For example, if a person from country “X” stole my wallet, does it mean that everyone from country “X” is a thief?  In such simple terms, we can probably agree that this is not the case.  However, politicians and some religious leaders who benefit financially from our hate of other nationals would have us believe that this is so.

I am telling you, this has to stop.  We know that one bad apple doesn’t spoil the whole barrel.  It is the widespread communications we all hear that turns our thoughts toward an “us versus them” mentality, implying that all of “them” are bad.

We need to recognize the similarities between people.  We need to accept that they feel the same as we do.  We want to be safe and secure in our beds at night, want our children to have a better world to grow up in, to provide for ourselves and our families and enjoy our lives without worrying that the world outside our doors are dangerous to our health and wellbeing. I assure you, everyone in the world wants these things for their families.  That makes us alike.

Are there people who are dangerous to the security and peace in the world?  Absolutely, but it is important that we not let them ruin our views that there can be love, peace and harmony in the world.
May you be richly blessed!