Fri. Mar. 11, 2022
A Personal Reflection
Dick Rozek
A lesson (for me): a couple days ago I was impressed by the HUGE similarities between what’s going on in Ukraine and our own birth and growth as a nation.
Those who broke away from England and it’s then-king changed the world. The troops sent by the king to put down the American revolutionists were defeated and America was “born.” It became a beacon for humanity. Sadly and badly we’ve drifted from our lofty goal.
Now, two and a half centuries later the world watches a close replication of the American example. Russian president Vladimir Putin, in his self-appointed royal role of “Dictator King,” has proclaimed that Ukraine must rejoin Russia. The difference this time around is that many other nations are rallying to uplift and support the Ukrainian people.
Ukrainians are fashioning their own monument to democracy with their blood and tears, their stamina, their resolve. Their battle has been transfixed by their intention to repel the mighty Russian military and nurture the birth of democracy in their homeland. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky (a Jew, by the way) turned down an offer to be evacuated. “The fight is here,” he declared. “I need ammunition, not a ride.” This from a former comedian so admired by his countrymen they elected him to be their leader! This is the stuff from which nations are born. Such stories and glories count more than tanks and banks. His, and the courage of most Ukrainians, reminds Americans of who we used to be. It’s the same dynamic that built America.
A television team interviewed president Zelensky in a bunker and called him an icon for his charismatic leadership. He countered, “I’m not iconic. Ukraine is iconic.” It was the kind of declaration that would have made the embattled farmers at Concord (Massa-chusetts) raise their fists and voices in unison.
Americans have learned not to depend on political “leaders” and “saviors.” History has shown that when our government has brought about positive change it’s been envisioned, organized, pushed and nudged by ordinary people. Ukrainians are blocking Russian tanks with their bodies (a tactic not recommended for a long life).
We of homo sapiens are v-e-r-y slow learners. For too long too many humans have embraced the credo “what’s mine is mine and what’s yours also is mine because I say so.” Now we MUST mature and acknowledge metaphorically each of us is a tiny but huge bit of God’s energy system. Each of us needs others; others need us. There’s only “one” of us here. Jesus understood and taught that.
Peace and Love. Namaste. The god in me blesses the god in you. The good in me blesses the good in you.