In our member Forums, we are quite careful about religious, racial, or nationalist messages.  We are totally dedicated to creating a very positive, accepting international family for our members.

However, given the horrible slaughter happening in Gaza, I feel I must express my deep sympathy for the people there and my sincere hopes for peace.  I especially feel I must do this because the weapons being used to do the killing come mostly from my government (The USA).

During events like these, it is very easy to become angry and to blame all the people of a country.  But this is a mistake.  Not all Americans support the wars in Palestine, Iraq, and Afghanistan.  Likewise, many Israelis, and Palestinians, sincerely hope for mutual dignity, human rights, and respect.

It’s the same everywhere we find terrible governments.  There are dissidents in China who support democracy and human rights for all people, including Tibetans and minorities.  There are millions of Americans who strongly support peace, human rights, and freedom for all people.

We should never confuse a Government with the People.  Unfortunately, in this world, governments rarely represent the best of their people.  Sadly, they often represent the very worst.

But as Mahatma Gandhi said,  it is our individual responsibility to become the change we hope to see in the world.  If we hope for peace, we as individuals must become peaceful.  If we hope for equality, freedom, and justice, we as individuals must respect every man (and woman’s!!) equality,.. and we must ourselves be free and just.   If we hope for forgiveness, healing, and respect….  we must first forgive, heal, and respect the dignity of all human beings.

And so one of my most important New Year’s Resolutions this year is to become more peaceful, more just, and more respectful–  and to contribute more of my energy, passion, love, and happiness to other people around the world.