Let Us Choose Peace | Hiroshima, Japan

The Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima, Japan (Image: P.M. Lydon)
We just left Hiroshima, a wonderful host, and a wonderful group of around 70 people who turned out to see the film. While we were here, we paused to visit the site of the atomic bombing. It was my second time and I brought Suhee to read the stories of the survivors. The tears we shed here made us stronger. We hear that President Obama is following us and will make a visit here soon and I hope his reflections are deep and true. In this space, I offer the following simple thoughts, written while sitting in the space where an entire city and many of its inhabitants were disintegrated…
The Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima, Japan (Image: P.M. Lydon)
The Atomic Bomb Dome / Hiroshima Peace Memorial, Japan (Image: P.M. Lydon)
Care about (have compassion for) the people around you
Whether they are your friends or enemies
Whether they are your neighbors or strangers
Whether they are of your faith or another
Whether they are of your skin color or another
Whether they are of your sexual orientation or another
Whether they are from within your borders or outside them
Whether they wish you ill or well
 
Any other attitude will inevitably lead to harm
to war
to death
 
We have the choice with each action we take
towards another
to march in the direction of war
or to march in the direction of peace
 
Let us each choose
with each action we take
to march towards peace
for ourselves
for our neighbors
for our children
for this earth
 
Let us choose peace
 

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