Today, I post the following in response to Friday Writings #220: Feeling Deeply
Photo by Kris Møklebust:
Kenny Rogers once sang, “Sometimes you have to fight if you’re a man.” But let’s be honest — war never decides who’s right; it only decides who’s left once the dust settles.
People lose their limbs, homes, and sense of safety—often for good. Even those who think they’ve won carry scars that never heal.
History repeats the same lesson. When two sides clash—whether nations, communities, or individuals—what gets recorded are only numbers: how many killed, how many wounded, how many displaced. But these numbers never tell the whole truth.
When a report says, “1 person killed,” that ‘one’ represents a much greater loss—it’s just the visible part of a much deeper wound. What we don't see are the deeper wounds—the wife who lost her husband, the parents who lost their child, the children growing up without a parent. These unseen faces never make it to the headlines, yet they carry the heaviest burden.
When conflict arises, not everyone who seems to support you has your best interests at heart. Some will trap you in a double bind; others will be loud with opinions, cheering from the sidelines, urging you to keep fighting. Don’t give them your attention, and never give them your peace of mind.
Most people just want to live peacefully—to work, raise families, and grow together as a community. No one chooses a fight that leaves behind only broken homes and broken hearts.
Remember: those who start the fire aren’t the ones who burn.
Too often, people use fear and division to gain power or profit. Don’t be misled. Don’t let anyone push you to hate or fight for their agenda.
Every life matters. Every family matters. Let’s not be trapped in conflicts that leave everyone worse off. The real heroes aren’t those who destroy—but those who protect, rebuild, and stand for peace, even when it’s hard.
P.S. Thanks for stopping by! I’d love to hear your thoughts below — your voice keeps the conversation alive. If you enjoy exploring life’s deeper layers, check out “If It's Just a Body, Let My Words Linger.”
I thoroughly agree with every word you say. How, how, HOW are we to get the people in power to listen???? (Well, to keep speaking, writing and sharing the words is the first essential.)
ReplyDelete"Every life matters." That says it all A powerful, compassionate piece and you are right So many people are affected when someone dies and it is so unnecessary.
ReplyDeleteYou humanized the numbers brilliantly. Your commentary, unchanged and exactly as written, except for translation, should be sent throughout the globe through all electronic channels. And where there are none, it should be saved to one day be taught in all schools in all languages.
ReplyDeleteYour post hit every nerve in my body!!!! Especially now when America is engaged in yet another senseless conflict. When / How will this end? How many lives ruined? And not always in battle, but in the economic disasters we face as a result. There are days, it's simply too much to bear.
ReplyDeleteVery right.
ReplyDeleteStrange that many cannot realise this. Praying for humanity to win.
Hope this war ends immediately.
Oh...how I wish our powerful leaders have even, an iota of your wisdom,
ReplyDeleteI wish I could scream these words you have powerfully articulated.
You are so right, especially about how "just 1" loss leaves ripples of grief that wound so many. And the thought of it being magnified through senseless conflict is just heartbreaking.
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