One Voice: Who Do You Listen To?

I don't talk much about controversial subjects, mainly because I don't want to hear people gripe and complain. But a few weeks ago I had an experience that changed my outlook, and maybe it will change your outlook, too, although, being a pessimist, I don't hold much hope for that.

My spouse and I took a short vacation, and during that vacation I learned that sometimes one person can influence the actions and beliefs of others. I won't go into great detail about my experience, but I discovered one voice can make a difference-it can open up hearts and offer perspective. I discovered that being that one voice isn't always easy and sometimes carries with it huge responsibilities, but it is worth it. And I remembered how one voice ignored can lead a nation to its ultimate downfall.

In the days just after 911, I saw a video clip of a woman who husband died when the Towers fell. In the news clip, filmed just as possible causes for the tragedy were being explored, she pleaded with the American public to not do anything rash. Nearly hysterical, she described her husband's nonviolent outlook on life and begged the American people to not engage in any retaliation out of anger against those who perpetuated the attack, as it would only make the situation worse. Through her sobbing, she related that her husband had lived a life of peace and would be devastated if anyone who sought to avenge his death caused more destruction or loss of life. She told viewers that her husband would not want this to happen. He would not want things to end this way. He would not want his life to be lived in vain. She begged viewers to not respond to the terrible violence with anger and fear. These were her husband's last wishes.

But nobody listened, did they?

Oh, we had all kinds of excuses. We couldn't let Osama almost been Important get away with killing all those people, could we? We couldn't let the enemy possibly strike again on American soil, could we? We couldn't stop for a moment and think of a really good strategy to counter the violent, irrational mindset of our enemies, could we?

No, we could not.