Refugees from peace

Bloggers Unite called for posts on refugees. I thought about Darfur and Bali and Pakistan and Iraq and Afghanistan and the Sudan and then I realized that I’m really not qualified to write heartfully about any of these places or events. All I could write about is my own feelings of helplessness.

Then I realized why.

We’re all refugees if there is one refugee.

I think I should write that again.

We’re ALL refugees if there is one refugee.

And those who are taking the roles of “actual” refugees are only holding up a mirror for all the rest of us who don’t look like refugees, but, because we are all connected, feel like refugees anyway.

Then I read this in 8 Ways to Increase Hope by Naomi Drew in a gallery on Beliefnet.

Say This Affirmation Every Day

Say this affirmation every day and see where it leads you: "I am the key to peace." 
Most of us believe, erroneously, that peace will come from people or institutions much larger than we. Just the opposite is true. Peace starts with each individual and it will only come to this world from the people themselves. It is critical that we each create peace in the small and large moments of our lives. We must live it in our words and actions rather than giving in to fear, hatred, or resignation.

Or refugeeism.

Someone who is a refugee is a person who is in need of refuge. I maintain that we are all refugees if one person is a refugee. We need refuge . . . from terrorism, hate, war, drugs, resignation, hatred and a host of other ills in this world.

There is, however, one refuge that anyone can take at any time. Follow Naomi Drew’s lead, and repeat with me, “I am the key to peace.”

I take refuge in the idea that I am the key to peace.

I take refuge in the idea that you are the key to peace.

I take refuge in the idea that we are the key to peace.

Visit Susan Corso’s spiritual blog or subscribe to Seeds at www.susancorso.com.