Terror Can’t Live in a House of Love

As with 9/11, this last week weighs heavily on so many of us. Obviously all of the ISIS attacks and the humans lost, families mourning are top of mind. Each day my heart gets heavier when hate and rhetoric spew from people in my own circles, out of what I believe can only be mishandled fear.

I have actively and passionately thrown facts and love in the face of each hurl of bigotry and ignorance I witness. I believe we can neutralize negativity with extreme light and love. Yet in the wake of these efforts remains a lingering disappointment for some of the people I have respected and cared about throughout my life.

I won’t be quiet to sidestep conflict any longer.

I won’t accept excuses of age, fear and statements like “people don’t change – no point in arguing”.

There is a HUGE point to argue.

Terrorists rely on fear, divisiveness and hate to facilitate their goals. Terror can’t live in a house of love. I refuse to be afraid of ISIS. They are radical extremists who may even be mentally ill, as violent Christian extremists in our history often have been. Those who truly stamp fear on my heart are the friends, family and colleagues who allow their own fear and acceptance of rhetoric to make them less than the people I believed them to be.

I enjoy and invite a good debate with people who have different ideas and beliefs. I always learn from it, am a better human each time my world expands. I have never unfriended any of you for having a respectful difference of opinion with me.

With ignorance and hate rhetoric attached to the conversation of Muslims, I will not accept you or make excuses for you.

Bigotry and rhetoric are not welcome in my circles.

Hate and terror will never live in my house.

Comments

Depression Lies

Depression lies to us about who we are. It tricks us into believing negative self-talk, and then tries to make us too tired to fight back. It makes our bodies ache to discourage the physical activity that would create endorphins so needed to quiet the negative noise. Depression may tell us to either starve or over-feed our bodies, both attempts to skew our self-image. Depression lies to us, and sometimes we listen. I know depression. I used to be afraid to admit our acquaintance. In my 20s it would visit infrequently. I called it something else until I met it more often and our relationship grew. In my early 30s it was called S.A.D. (Seasonal Affected Disorder). Turns out my body likes sunshine. Once I left my retail travel career with 4 Caribbean jaunts each winter, my Doctor noticed a pattern of symptoms and a subsequent treatment plan was initiated. In my late 30s we became intimately acquainted, after ea...

What do you do?

Preparing for my participation in the Refresh 2013 event, I kept thinking about the pivotal time in my life when a series of events forced me to refresh my goals and self image. This story of my reinvention adventure was published in Chicken Soup, Finding Your Happiness . What Do You Do? by Sheri Gammon Dewling “We think she has pneumonia again – you need to come get her,” said the Daycare provider who was caring for my eighteen month old daughter. “I’m on my way, “I assured her and turned back to my computer screen. Staring back at me was an incomplete sales proposal I was preparing for an upcoming pitch. My first thought was, “come on ... how am I going to get this proposal done in time”. I got in the car and tears rolled down my face when I realised how wrong I was. My baby was sick again and she needed me. It was the second time she had pneumonia in two months, after six months of ear infections, high fevers and a per...

A Mother's Circle of Life Love Song

What does a writer do with strong feelings .....write. A tribute to my Mum. A Mother’s Circle of Life Love Song ~ Sheri Gammon Dewling ~ Good night sweet girl, Mum said as she tucked me in each night. May my loving arms enfold you and protect you from the fright. I know you like to be awake and join in all the fun. Now it’s time for you to sleep. Tomorrow will soon come. Bless your heart, Mum told me as I learned, fell down and grew. May you face each day with kindness and continue to be true. I know the right decision isn’t always plain to know. Now it’s time for you to lead. I’m proud to watch you grow. Good night sweet girl, I told her, as I watched her body fail. May the love of family guide you as your spirit starts to sail. I know you cherished life on earth, where your joy has always played. Now it’s time for you to sleep – no need to be afraid. Bless your heart, I said to her, as she took her last, slow breaths. ...

JustMOMsensations

Search This Blog