Peace on Earth? Goodwill to men? Why not all men? Why not all humanity or humankind? How do we really define those terms? Is peace an absolute or a term of relativity? The same with goodwill. In fact, how do we even discern whether expressions of peace and goodwill are sincere rather than coated in the usual euphemisms for the sake of political expediency and social harmony.
I do not know the answers to those questions. It boggles the mind even to think of trying to find those answers, to define them to a specificity clear enough to allow for no misunderstandings. In fact, I don't even believe that humanity is capable of such specificity. Nor interested in it either. It would require too much work, too much effort and too little certainty of a positive and productive outcome.
Let's take peace for the first defining moment of this posting. Is peace contained within the definition off no war. Or is one allowed to wage small wars, little wars, local wars considered not to be so serious. Not so many are dying. Not hundreds of thousands, barely 10s of thousands. Or is that peace allowed to contain within it wars that have been going on for years. Decades. Maybe even longer. So, it doesn't really count, does it? We're used to it already.
Does peace within the world have to arise from peace elsewhere? If we are at peace with ourselves, with each individual, with those with whom we are most in contact and of concern, is that enough to generate at least an impulse towards peace with strangers? And how can we be at peace with strangers? How can we find points of commonality strong enough to overcome the little wars, the little hostilities. The simmering negativity that 'only' bursts into mild explosions from time to time. Can we for sure call this Peace? Peace is at hand.? I don't think so. And when we try to fool ourselves, that peace is indeed at hand, we are merely denying the truth we would rather not see nor know within our hearts.
Perhaps we need to start over with goodwill as the initiation point. If we look at others and see only negativity. If we think how we are better than they are, whomever 'they' are. If we wonder how we can get one over on them. Or prevent them from getting one over on us. Then what actually do the terms and sentences and vows of goodwill actually mean? Whilst the one hand is shaking a hand with vows of peace and goodwill, of friendship eternal and the other hand is behind the back, counting knives and bullets and for their use, then what is anything we say worth a sou? Or a plugged nickel if you prefer.
This is supposed to be the time of peace and goodwill for all. Between and for all. But take a look around. I believe Trump has claimed he has ended eight wars. Count again. For each and every one of those wars is actually a truce on shaky legs, if any legs remain at all. Or the entities involved. have returned to the past and brought it forward into the present and the future. Reinstated those "little” wars. Those wars between smaller nations. And so directly do not affect us. So, what the hey? Peace is at hand. Goodwill for our fellow Humans. What a crock.
Not only that, and I guess here I am a Grinch. These holidays often colliding into each other with their scheduling are supposed to be days of joy. Of shedding light upon the world. Of reaching out to one another. Of good times and good wishes. But just think. Look. See what is happening around the world. The Jews of Australia and Bondi Beach getting a massacre for all their troubles. Numerous sites related to Judaism and its institutions also have been likewise 'gifted'. "Christians" of dubious Christianity are shouting to the rooftops, from the rooftops of their JewHatred, their 'justified' anti Semitism.
Christians and Muslims in hostilities with each other. Hindus and Buddhists, the epitome of "peaceful” religious having at each other with a viciousness one could never have imagined. And within the separate religions, the individual sects spew venom and contempt upon the others, even consort with the enemies to gain the upper hand. If we cannot even look at each other, how can we then look back to points supportive of indeed having true peace and goodwill. To mean for it to happen, to strive for it to happen?
No, I don't think peace and goodwill are terms of relevancy to us. Perhaps, once in some unknown time, long ago there actually was a relevancy to it. But upon looking back, I see no time when there was neither war, nor conflict. No true peace. And as I peer into the horoscopes of our todays, I see nothing better.; in fact, I see, only worse coming straight at us. AI chat boxes. More sophisticated weapons. Shouts of triumph at achieving that next level.
No, this is not the todays we want. These are not todays of peace and of quiet. No true progress has been made and certainly, the efforts, if any, have been weak and mewling. Finally, we look into the tomorrows. Those same days that we are so anxious to see as better times with better opportunities. Truly a time of peace and goodwill. Amongst all, for all, from all, to all.
At present, though, all the lights of Hanukkah. All the lights of Kwanzaa. All the lights of Christmas. All the lights of all the other religions all lit up at the same time are in actuality lighting up nothing. For the light is cold. And dark.
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