Love Abounds
Last week, France and the world were reeling in shock at the brutal and merciless mass killings at a French newspaper in Paris. While many were mourning and weeping for people who have lost loved ones, my heart was troubled with aching for the sudden deaths of innocent lives.
What drove them to take up weapons to massacre?
What made them shoot cold-bloodedly at point blank?
Why did they thirst for more blood as they gunned down 12 people?
Terrorism? Jihadism? Anti-western values? They may have been blinded by their faith calling for a war against the unholy. They may have been misled to think they are heroes, standing up for Islamic fundamentalism and fighting against all things western. But they are cowards for they took to running, hiding and holding hostages to save their own lives. Perhaps they have been enclosed in their own world, constantly living out the WE vs THEM mentality. They may have only known the language of hatred and wars. Harmony and love are absent from their vocabulary.
On the other hand, I am so thrilled and heart warmed by the charity show last Sunday. Artistes and volunteers were united to play their part and give their best in a concerted effort to raise funds to help the needy and underprivileged. Looking back, I could recall several global crisis such as the 2004 Tsunami, 2008 Sichuan earthquake, 2011 NE Japan earthquake, 2013 Typhoon Haiyan and 2014 Typhoon Hagupit where people from all over the world came together to provide emotional, financial and other support to help rebuild lives for fellow human beings who have lost loved ones, homes and hopes of living
Through these mercy relief missions, I know love still abounds in our world. Where there is love, there is hope. And where there is hope, our world will be a better place for our generation and for the generations to come.
Comments
Jezebella wrote on January 11, 2015, 5:26 AM
I like Mr Rogers quote about how you should always look for the helpers when bad things happen. It's a better way to look at horrible things like that attack.
iwrite28 wrote on January 11, 2015, 5:33 AM
The strange thing about the world right now is the huge amount of hate and love that co-exist.
SoundNFury wrote on January 11, 2015, 5:49 AM
It is easy and tempting sometimes to have a very negative view of people and the world. It is important to remind ourselves of all of the good things people do for each other!
Shadi wrote on January 11, 2015, 6:21 AM
It was a tragedy indeed. The Muslim communities around the world condemned it and that's a step in the right direction. More is needed of course, like improving religious education to prevent extremism, from all religions and ideologies. We should also condemn other war crimes around the world, which appear to have less impact in the media. Most importantly we must have rules against people who abuse the freedom of speech. Religious figures should not be publicly insulted for example.
zaib009 wrote on January 11, 2015, 6:53 AM
Dont forget bloodshed on 16th December when more then 150 kids aged between 10 to 15 were shot dead in the school
AsADrivenLeaf wrote on January 11, 2015, 8:22 AM
Terrorism and murder. The day after the Charles Hebdo killings, onee of the three murderers, Amedy C.,now dead, held hostages and killed four Jews in a Paris kosher supermarket and a French policewoman. It was confirmed that the murderous motives were anti-Semitic in nature.
AsADrivenLeaf wrote on January 11, 2015, 8:26 AM
*Edits: Charlie ...
Romeo wrote on January 11, 2015, 8:44 AM
Learning to love is the most important lesson that people have to get.
LeaPea2417 wrote on December 17, 2015, 5:01 PM
Yes, when tragedies strike, most people have love in their hearts to want to help. It is bad times like this that people realize who their true friends are.