it's my opinion that all wars are the result of excessive greed and pride.  whether it's for territory, oil, trade issues, or over what people believe.  all of this translates into power. so in order for there to be no more wars, the desire for power needs to be removed. and the only way I can see THAT happening is for civilization to put less value in money and material gain, and more value in community, and humanity in general.  by that I mean a value in humanity that transcends religious views, racial, or any view that negatively reinforces the 'us vs. them' mentality.

but unfortunately, that is quite a tall order for mankind to fulfill.  there has always been war, and I firmly believe that to a greater or lesser degree there will always be war.  I dont believe in a utopia of any kind. utopia is perfection, and perfection is like beauty.. in the eyes of the beholder.   in order for there to be good in the world.. for there to be health, happiness, comfort, love, and peace.. then there also has to be their opposites sickness, sorrow, pain, hatred, and war.  that is simply the nature of the world we live in.

A new wind is blowing in my life.  It happened one day last week at work.  The drudgery of my job, and hence my life had gotten to me once and for all.  I didnt quit (for I need a job, right?) but I made a determined resolution for change.  I'm 37, have a 15 year old son, and am married these last 8 years to my 2nd husband. I finally decided to go back to school.  In the past I've shied away from going to college. After HS back in 1989 I went straight to work, then soon after got married and had a child. But what should I major in? To do what? Having spent a lot of time in various corporate offices I knew that a job in management in some such office wouldnt suffice. and I'm not interested in computers.. at least, not building, setting up, or fixing them, not to mention I dont want to be a nurse.  It's an admirable profession, but that's not the way I'd prefer to assist society.  Believe it or not, I've chosen to study criminal justice.  Something I've never thought of before.. something completely different, also something admirable, and beneficial to humanity.

I feel as tho I've reached another crossroad.  It's almost like a growth spurt.  And with it, my sense of spirituality has also had a resurgence.  In the past, I've been christian, pagan, and my last spiritual endeavour was on the zen buddhist path.  During this last stagnant period I've gone thru I ceased any spiritual practice, and even physical exercise.  Since that day last week, I've been spending more time in contemplation, eating more fruit, taking more walks, spending more time talking to my husband rather than simply sharing space with him.

May this wind carry me a long way on the road of personal and spiritual fulfilment.