Dreaming the BIG Dream

Peace – Om Shanti– Amani – Peace in any language sounds as sweet….

I dare to dream the BIG dream. Please, join me in this dream. I dream of peace and plenty, of a world without borders, without war, without racism, sexism, ageism or homophobia. A world where our culture wars are over, where the generation gap has healed. A world where every single person everywhere feels safe, loved and celebrated.

Is there a bigger dream? I don’t know. This is the biggest I can dream, the biggest dream I’ve ever had, that’s all. I have been having it, in one form or another, since I was a little boy.

Paix – Paz – Shalom – What’s on the other side of creating a world where everyone wins? Well, I don’t pretend to know all the answers to that question. What I do know is that it’s up to us, the human family, to dream it. And while I don’t know all the answers, I’m quite sure of several pieces, including that no one will be mutilating others, torturing others, enslaving others or slaughtering others for any “reason” – including in the name of God. Everyone will understand deep in their hearts what loves means … and compassion … and mercy … and forgiveness. Everyone will have the right to live their lives as they choose – as long as it’s not at someone else’s expense, or on another’s back.

Salam – Wolakota – Sula – I dream a BIG dream. I dream of a world that is held as Sacred. No pollution, no waste. Renewable, recyclable, sustainable. Clean air and water and wholesome food for all. Education, health care, true equality, true choice. How will we “pay” for all this? Well, as I said, it’s a BIG dream. And the truth is that we’re paying for it now. Some of our so-called “fearless” leaders are so filled with fear that they would have us recklessly, blindly squander the vast riches of this world for a few more “good” years exploiting people and resources until it all lies in smoking ruin, half-crazed “survivors” stumbling from burnt-out trash heap to another before crawling into a hole to die, the question “What happened?” frozen on their lips.

Mir – Katahimikan – Santiphap – I am blessed to be a grandfather. I am blessed to have a god-daughter and a beautiful, peace-filled place to live. I am blessed with health, with abundance, with amazing family, friends and community. Most of all, I am blessed to be living life in love with my Beloved JoAnn! I am blessed to know in my heart that I am making a difference, that I am Being the Change. I am blessed to know for sure, without a shadow of a doubt, that everyone, everywhere deserves all of these Blessings and much, much more … deserves all the happiness, peace and prosperity that I am Blessed with.

Om Shanti –Pace - Sipala –Peace – It’s a BIG dream. Still, we can dream it, weave it, together. In the end, we have no choice, especially if we want to see our children and our grandchildren inherit the pure potential inherent in this moment. I see this world, I smell it, and I touch it with my heart. I know this to be true, and So It Is. Ho! Blessed Be … Peace.

Music reference: Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe’s 1989 eponymous masterpiece. Check out track 2, “Fist of Fire,” and track 3, “Brother of Mine” – especially part 1, “The Big Dream” (although the entire album, from beginning to end, is over-the-top).

The Earth Charter - ... is a declaration of fundamental principles for building a just, sustainable, and peaceful global society for the 21st century. Created by the largest global consultation process ever associated with an international declaration, endorsed by thousands of organizations representing millions of individuals, the Earth Charter seeks to inspire in all peoples a sense of global interdependence and shared responsibility for the well-being of the human family and the larger living world. The Earth Charter is an expression of hope and a call to help create a global partnership at a critical juncture in history.