Creating Common Ground

From: J Birch <Birch403@outlook.com> Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2020, 4:54 AM To: justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca; Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca; dujarric@un.org; GlobalOttawa@globalnews.ca; tips@GlobalTVBC.com; contact.nbcnews@nbcuni.com; news@skynews.com; Secretary@HHS.gov; Sky.Today; nytnews@nytimes.com; media@gatesfoundation.org; dir_enq@cso.gov.hk; david.penberthy@news.com.au; jedmiston@nationalpost.com; accredit@gov.ru; doug.fordco@pc.ola.org; info@bnn.ca; palestine@un.int; pniot@mfa.gov.il; feedback@mfa.gov.il; dan@jpost.com; HaveYourSay Subject: Creating Common Ground (Opinion) Hey everyone, I have been reading in the news lately about some reports indicting possible conflict or cessassion of cooperation in some areas during this time. During times like these its more important than ever to reforge the bonds between us, and ensure that the future we build, is a good one. Together we can surpass our wildest hopes and dreams not just for ourselves but for one another as well. Its time we step forward out of our fearful past and claim that collective future we all deserve. Our history has been filled with unbearable pain as we struggled to find our common ground. Years we have stood apart from one another and throughout that time, pain has been the only answer. Through the darkness of our lineage however, there have been those bright lights among us who have risen amid the fall. They stood in solidarity with one another and worked to uplift those who had also fallen. Their courage defining a generation as they stood for others and themselves during those long nights of our inhumanity. Like candles amid the darkness, these souls, these institutions of humanity, sought to rebuild the bedrock of our common ground. Each time we stood for one another, helped one another or healed one another, we sent sparks throughout the darkness of our present to catch the flame of a better future, to renew the light of our humanity, by acts of humanity. Its these moments that define us, not some battle or event but a multitude of minutes where we put aside the fear in our hearts and learn to co-exist, to even, love one another. To find balance between who we are and whom everyone else is. To redefine what it means to be human amid the fear of the future and the uncertainty surrounding today. Standing behind one another in times like this creates our humanity, each act of faith in one another catching the hope within the human heart and emboldening it. Allowing the bonds between us to grow in spite of that fear creates a better future and a deeper understanding of the self and society. Whatever the future holds we must remember today, remember all the beautiful souls that exist in the here and now. We must remember them, we must remember ourselves and we must be mindful of who we are today or it will never matter who we wish to be tomorrow Fighting amongst ourselves has never found us peace or prosperity, it has only added more pain and trauma to an already traumatized world. Peace must be lived to be won, its not as simple as a declaration, but instead a determination to find or build the common ground within the human spirit. Through it all however, there is hope, there is hope that despite the fear we feel today in this time of uncertainty and to the legion of days we have yet to live, we can choose a new path. We can choose each other. To stand side by side for one another instead of standing on opposite sides of the same ground. We are more alike then we care to admit at times, we all have the common ground within us, within each heartbeat that common ground screams to us through the rhythm of life. We are all alive and yet despite this gift that we have been given, many of us never truly live. We deny ourselves what we want most because of what we deem is expected or necessary. We allow the fear we feel for one another and the future corrupt the happiness of our present. Tearing at the very fabric of who we are, in defense of who we think we are. We can find a better path, a new way to solve our problems then reliving the past pain that only causes more pain. To stand in defiance of that reoccurring memory of conflict and hate that serves only to drive us apart from one another and in doing so, creating more trauma for our world. I know that this is something that will not be easy but it will be worth it, it will be worth it because of the multitude of generations that will grow up in peace and commonality. To live together regardless of our differences in safety and compassion. To stand on the cusp of a better day united in common purpose as we build monuments to our common ground, a new day where we can all just be. I dream of that world, call me naïve but I do. I believe that no matter what we face as a people and the fear that might temporarily fill our hearts, we will rise above our own inner fear and shine together as one. I believe in all of you, I believe that despite blood soaked years and mistrust, we can not only build a better future for both nations, but all nations. A common chord to sing amongst our people, a call to the heavens sounded throughout the earth signaling our unified future. A place where we can all build together to secure that perfect future we all dream about. A future to call home. "You either build a world for everyone, or else you will end up in a world fit for no one" - JAB Stay Safe, Stay Sanitized and Stay Supportive, John Ames Birch @johneames2