Memorial Day: America and War
Did you know that America has been at war 93% of the time since becoming a nation?
That’s 222 out of 239 years since 1776. 222 years that America has been fighting another group of human beings for one reason or another.
Looking back at history we see the causes for many of these wars were based in ignorance, capitalism, religion, racism and extreme materialism (acquisition of resources).
It’s horrifying when we open our minds to the amount of destruction and death that has filled the past 2 centuries on American soil. Beginning with the massacre of the Native Americans, from the Cherokee wars, the Northern Indian wars, and the horrendous wars that led to the trail of tears and expansion westward.
Aside from the constant war with the Natives from pre-1776 to the 1900’s, there were many other conflicts that inflicted America. One of the greatest wars never mentioned is the massacre of the Africans, captured and enslaved, raped, hung and beaten with no weapons of their own.
In addition to these atrocious acts of violence committed at the hands of American politicians and soldiers, we must open our mind to the wars that were enacted to take control of land abroad. For instance, the Banana Wars of the Philippines and the establishment of major fruit companies that acquired land in foreign soil through the act of unimaginable crimes.
All of the wars mentioned above happened before World War I. From 1916 on, the death, destruction, land and resource acquisition, increase in military spending and the number of casualties all soared.
As tears form in the corner of my eyes from the dark past of this nation and the hundreds of millions affected, I would like to take a moment to recognize all people, both the victors and the victims, the killers and the killed.
I look deeper and see the universal connection filling all of it, Life.
Moment of Silence
I’d like to invite you to quiet your mind, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Let silence fill your heart and soul as you recognize these valuable, unique individuals, men, women and children who have lost their lives, limbs and livelihood due to these 222 years of war.
I was interested in finding how many people in total have lost their lives over the time America has been a nation. Unfortunately the crimes were so severe, taking place for so long against those who they believed were less than human (nearly anyone with dark skin) that the number will probably never be known.
I recognize the hundreds of millions who suffered during these times on both sides of each war.
Let us open our minds daily to the sacred soil on which we stand. The soil stained with blood from our ancestors and the generations of the past.
Keep your heart and mind open to the large number of people whose hearts ceased beating due to the violence, ignorance and greed of another man.
Legacy of Peace
May we begin to reshape the dark memories that haunt Memorial Day. May we all be encouraged to become a piece of Peace.
Being that I have family members who’ve fought in wars, served in the armed forces and still have friends in active service, I am not pointing a finger or bashing their deeds by any means.
The purpose of this post is to shine a truthful light upon the darkness that haunts America. It is time to embrace the fullness of HUMANKIND, recognizing that we are ONE FAMILY, walking upon ONE EARTH, our home.
Please do your part to bring peace out from within the depths of your being and share it with the world. In doing so you are reshaping the course of history one kind thought and compassionate act at a time.
3 Keys to Shift the Memory of Memorial Day
#1 – Be Kind To HumanKind – Be kind to all human beings. We are all awakened by the same Essence of Life. Look deeper and you will see that every religion expresses the importance of love, compassion and embracing the One which awakes all.
If we were all taught to act with extreme acts of kindness to all humans, even those different from us, why would we want to kill them?
KINDNESS > killing
#2 – More Peace, Less Ignorance – Violence is never the answer. How can we expect to kill another person or drop bombs upon communities and expect peace to prevail?
The time has come…. We must raise our consciousness and embrace the realization that what we do unto another so too we do unto ourselves.
We are One Family. Things change as we change.
#3 – Reshaping History – I encourage you to take a stand and be the difference maker. The average human wants to live in peace, be appreciated and have food, water, and shelter. Let’s work to make this a reality for all.
Let us learn from nature by observing the trees, plants and life existing around us. Peace, appreciation and understanding are everywhere, as long as we are open to see it. Let’s learn from nature and use our own minds to reshape the course of history with compassion and kindness for all.
Gratitude
I am grateful for the opportunity to grow up in America.
I am grateful for my ability to not let another’s opinion become my only truth.
I am grateful that I can take a stand against the ignorance of war and be an advocate for peace, equality and justice for All Humans on Earth.
To see the long list of the wars in America click here.
Peace
Happiness
Compassion
Respect
Jeffon Seely
Three Key Life
Memorial Day: America & War Photo Credit: https://flic.kr/p/86nTPG via Ian Sane
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