Awareness

There is a saying in Buddhism about always being aware. Constantly being present every second of life. Being aware of what is happening around you. Being aware of your fellow human beings. It is about doing for others what you are willing to do for them. Very much as the golden Rule of Christianity.

Military duty was mandatory in Sweden for all boys of the age 18 years old and up. During my time in the forces I learnt two main things: You fight for what you believe is true, and you walk that extra mile for your friend. Always. The remarkable thing is that you can always do that. Always.

I got a reminder of this during my second year in college. I got a present from my grandma in a bag that has meant a lot to me. The quote on the bag has stayed with me for a long time. It is a quote by Kierkegaard: "Not to dare is to lose yourself, to dare is just to lose control for moment."

I will end with a quote from Remember The Titans on the ground of the battle of Gettysburg: "Listen to their souls. Hatred destroyed my family. You listen. Take a lesson from the dead. If we do not come together. Right now. On this hollow ground. We too will be destroyed. Just like they did." We have come to a point where we should come together, to start looking at the future in comfort and possibility. We own our own future. No one else.