Love Knows No Color, Creed or Race
75
When I think of world peace I think of the importance of embracing diversity with an open mind, and it brings memories of my late 18 year old nephew Omar, whose Dad is Arab and a Muslim. Omar was your typical American teenager who lived in a Jewish area in New York.
After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, he pondered whether he should change his name to an American sounding one as he was planning to become a medical doctor, and was concerned it would "label" him with stereotypes, as we do live in a prejudiced world. His Mom (my sister) let him make the decision on his own, and after much reflection, he realized he had an obligation to not contribute to the mass consciousness of prejudice and fear, and carry on his name with pride.
Having had the experience of being friends with people from various races, and cultures in the world, and having diversity in my family through marriage; my older nephew's wife is from Thailand and a Buddhist, while he is half Philippine and an American Catholic, I learned long ago, that yes, there may be some cultural differences, which can be intriguing, such as music, food, and faith, but deep at the core of our beings, we are all the same.
I am originally from Colombia, S.A., and no, I do not run around with drug lords and terrorize foreigners by kidnapping them into the Amazon jungle, (I don't like bugs anyway, and much less if they are the gigantic monsters that thrive in the jungle); I am an average woman, with a deep spiritual focus who shares a life with an American man who speaks very little Spanish, that is unless you consider adding an "o" to the end of every sentence, as being "Spanish", which my s/o likes to do for fun. :)
We are all children of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars, we all yearn for love, we all have our dreams, our fears as we journey through life, we all experience the ups and downs that the duality of life gives each and every one of us.
We all shed tears that trickle down our faces when we experience loss; we all rejoice when something wonderful happens and we all feel pain or bleed should something happen to our physical bodies.
Our human similarities surpasses our cultural differences. Love has no color, creed or race; when we die and shed our body, all that is left is our limitless spirit. I personally feel that Creation has designed diversity for our growth, our experience and opportunity to see with the eyes of love, and not fear or judgment which is what closes the mind and heart, and distorts our perception of the world around us.
I feel blessed we now have the Internet to connect with the click of a mouse to others around the world, what an opportunity to grow more and more in understanding! Just being a member of the Hubpages community is an experience that enriches me.
I salute each and every culture in the world, each race; the spirit that is in you is also in me.
Namaste,
Marie
Hubbing for peace- Hubs across the world unite for peace link in the HubPages forum's hangout.
- All We Are Saying. . .
I grew up in Northern Ireland, and was a teenager in the 1970's during the worst years of sectarian violence there. Those years partly shaped my consciousness and understanding of the world. I learned a great deal. The human body can be blown... - 3 years ago
- Love Knows No Color, Creed or Race
When I think of world peace I think of the importance of embracing diversity with an open mind, and it brings memories of my late 18 year old nephew Omar, whose Dad is Arab and a Muslim. Omar was your typical American teenager who lived in a Jewish... - 3 years ago
- The Carnation Revolution – In Portugal 1974
The Carnation Revolution hit Portugal on the 25th April 1974. It was one of the most peaceful political revolutions in history. - 3 years ago
AMAZING PEACE by Maya Angelou
In our joy, we think we hear a whisper.
At first it is too soft. Then only half heard.
We listen carefully as it gathers strength.
We hear a sweetness.
The word is Peace.
It is loud now.
Louder than the explosion of bombs.
We tremble at the sound.
We are thrilled by its presence.
It is what we have hungered for.
Not just the absence of war. But true Peace.
A harmony of spirit, and comfort of courtesies.
Security for our beloveds and their beloveds.
We, Angels and Mortals, Believers and Nonbelievers,
Look heavenward and speak the word aloud.
Peace. We look at each other, then into ourselves,
And we say without shyness or apology or hesitation:
Peace, My Brother.
Peace, My Sister.
Peace, My Soul.
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Shalini: Thanks for reading and commenting, nice you have a Colombian friend. :) As always, its good to see you.
VioletSun, what an appropriate and thoughtful Hub.
Thanks Lisa for stopping by. I enjoyed reading your hub.
VioletSun
This was a very inspiring hub and I echo everything you have said. We all have to learn to accept that true and pure love transcends boundaries raised by culture and color, gender and faith. Until then, peace would remain a dream. Thanks for sharing this wonderful hub :D
This hub wowed me. Thank you very much -- hugs (and namaste).
Cris: Agree with you, and the wonderful thing is the more we as individuals learn to see with more loving eyes, change starts happening one person at a time.
Teresa: Thank you. Namaste and mucho hugs to you too.
Thanks guys, for adding your presence!
Whenever I come across a hub about peace or love I try to read it slowly and drink it in. Life moves too quickly and we miss what is important, and to me that is the understanding of love itself.
To quote from the book "Seeker's Guide to Self-Freedom", I like this passage: "What we really want is not to possess, but to be possessed. What our heart is seeking it finds in giving up the self that strives for Love. And in its place, Love -- real Love, timeless Love -- appears."
Thank you VioletSun for writing a much needed hub for peace.
Hi VioletSun, I love what you wrote here. And I love the little stories in between too. Like Dottie, I took my time reading words that will inspire me and remind me of the beautiful things in life. You my dear Marie is an inspiration to me too and I am glad our paths crossed in this lifetime. Speaking of which, have you started the book already? Hehehe My turn to ask. :-)
Very thoughtful and so true. I admire your 18 year old nephew. You said late, did something happen to him?
Ripplemaker: LOL!!!! I call this instant "karma", now its my turn to have you ask me about my about my book. :) And, :::looking sheepish::::, nope, I haven't started yet, as I got rid of the one I was working on, (it was a just a few pages) but I will, promise! hehe. I am also glad we have met, I resonate with the light of your spirit.
Cindyvine: Thank you for your comments. My nephew passed away suddenly almost 4 years ago from undiagnosed hydrocephalus. He developed a headache, and was gone in about three hours.
Beautiful and so strong Hub - your words brough tears in my eyes.
Blessings and peace and many thanks for inspiration....
Tatjana: I love tears, we call them God tears here at home. :) Thank you for adding your energy to this hub.
Much love to you.
OMG this was so touching. I wish people had a deeper uderstanding of the spiritual reality of a human being. We could have more peace and happiness in the world but unfortunately some people tend to focus not on the 'core' but on the residue outside it which is a pity. Thx for sharing your beautiful thoughts with us. Your hubs are always a reader's treat.
Anjali: I too wish more people would focus on what is inside of us, would make a difference in how we connect. Thank you for your kind words, they are very much appreciated.
Namaste to you too VS. :)
We are all so alike under the superficial differences, aren't we?
Wow! Thank you for joining and posting this hub. I love it. Spreading the word of peace in such a beautiful way. :)
Namaste, Feline Prophet: When I was a preteen my best friend Shobonna was from India, and when we got together to play and talk, our subjects would be what young girls talk about which is about boys, our emerging womanhood, and our parents. We had a natural curiousity about many things. We were too young then to be aware that much strife and separation was going around the world. Here we were from two very different cultures, yet so alike.
Paper Moon: And thank you for reading this, and coming up with the Hubs for peace. I hope more hubbers join! :)
VioletSun, I am looking as sheepish as you so we can laugh together about it. guilty...LOL. :-) And I bask in the light of yours... Hugs...
Wonderful-O Violet. Gave me a warm feeling all over. Plus a good laugh about your comment re the drug lords kidnapping people into the jungle and you hating bugs! Besos!
Elena: You made me smile with the wonderful-o, :), glad you got the humor of my drug lords and bugs quip. Good to see you, girlfriend.
It is so true as we need to love one another and stop looking at the color, creed or race. My family and friends are all very diversified and I hope just like you that one day we will have peace and people can stand proud when looking at each other. I am certainly glad that your nephew made the right decision and his father would be proud. :)
Violetsun..namaste..what a beautiful hub!You have put everything so very beautifully in perfect words.Thanks for sharing such a wonderhub with us!
AEvans: I share your dream too; it would so great if we had that peace and stand proud looking at each other without the perception of separation. And yes, it touches my heart that my nephew was aware enough to not deny his heritage. Thanks for your kind comments. :)
Lyla: Namaste, and you are welcome! Just took a peek at your hubs and had to become a fan! You talk about subjects I like. :)
Namaste, VioletSun, so many do share the dream. I'm glad your nephew did not shun his background. America should not be a melting pot - it should be a stew!
Namaste, Dolores: Agree with your sentiments! I love diversity. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Dottie: I read your comments, and thought I had replied, at least I did in my heart. Sorry, I missed you, your comments are always appreciated!
Hugs,
Marie
That's o.k Marie, no need to be sorry. I've been around long enough to know your heart!
Hugs, Dottie
Thank you, Dottie. :)
You're Welcome :)
Marie- I am sorry for being a bit behind in reaching this hub. That was a beautiful hub and we both linked the same song too (I remember you mentioning it). And about colombia when I was working for my Professor we had an under grad student from Colombia and she told me about Colombia's beauty. I believe it has the pink dolphins, wonderful flowers and the best coffee(now my Indian friends may disagree on that one)..hehe. Namaste to you too my friend. This hub has certainly made my day. I feel so good whenever I read your hubs. Have a great day.
Hi, CW: Yes, we have the dolphins and sis once lived in a high rise building in Colombia overlooking the ocean, and she and Omar saw a dolphin show from the balcony, and she says it was awesome.
Thanks for stopping by and your comments, I know you are a busy new bride now. :)
Have a lovely day!
And also the flower gardens must be awesome. I guess sometimes only "bad news" becomes media sound bytes. Btw no more new bride(almost 4 months now) and already getting overwhelmed with work and domestic responsibilities(without even the kids arriving in the scene). :D
Beautifully presented and I agree with every word 1000 percent. Thank you for writing this Hub. A thumbs up to you.
Laringo: Thank you for commenting and the thumbs up. :)
And I agree 1000000000000000000000000000000000000000 percent...LOL
PS: Just trying to pass time until my husband finishes his recorded program.
CW: You are funny. Glad to see you here passing time. LOL! I am relaxing now; I am always busy, with the business, house chores,(which I divide in small steps or else it would be too much!) cooking, but I prefer this life than the living alone, I had for years at one time. :)
Love really does not recognise any color and breed. I agree with 101%.
Thank you Philipo for reading and adding your comments.
If you want happiness, see the equality that underlies this strange unequal world.
If you want peace, do not accept inequality.
Equality is heaven.
Inequality is hell.
- Swami Muktananda. Mukteshwari. p68.
“Because of our limited vision we consider countries to be different. For God, ALL countries are His. All beings are His. In God’s house there is no particular religion or sect or faith. To Him, all are the same.”
-Swami Muktananda
Jennifer: Thank you so much for sharing the words of these sages, much appreciated.
Hola mi Amiga nueva! Vivia en Venezuela por un anio - me encanta la pero no conosco nadia aqui que puede hablar - entonces, me falta practica. The only time I do have the opportunity to practice is when I visit my sister-in-law in Canada. My nieces are fluent (one attends French Immersion school too, so perfectly trilingual at 12!) as she is from Venezuela and her mom refuses to speak English to me - we met 20+ years ago when I too was able to think in Spanish.
I feel from them all the glory and hope for our future your writing exudes. Wouldn't it be dull if all the flowers in the garden were roses!?!
Beautifully written - peace surrounds and soothes my soul. Muchisimas gracias Marie.
Hola amiga nueva, muchisimo gusto en conocerte! :)
I wish I had learned to speak French, but just dabbled in a few phrases while in school. My late brother spoke 6 languages fluently, would just listen and learn it easily. Guess some folks have a natural talent for languages.
Thank you for your presence here and your kind comments!
Namaste Marie - this is simply beautiful! I love your insights and the way you have put them together here. Thanks so much for sharing them. I have bookmarked it under "Inspiration."!
Love and peace
Tony
Hi Tony: Its nice to walk into my office and start my day by reading comment from you. Thanks for the bookmark! :)
Your hubs are always positive, and hopefully will give a few people new insight into how they can get along with others.
Julia, thanks! Always appreciate your friendship in the social networks. :)
Shalini Kagal Level 4 Commenter 3 years ago
What a wonderful hub - yes, fear and judgement close our eyes and hearts while love opens them. What a diverse family you have VioletSun! One of my husband's friends has a wife from Columbia - she's one of my favourite people :)