A Hopeful New Day

“We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”

- Abraham Lincoln 

Dear Friends,

In the midst of all the tremendous agony and pain that has gripped our Nation, and world, I remain unwaveringly hopeful about our ability to better both our individual selves and collective communities. 

I hope that the families of Mr. Floyd, Mr. Arbery, Ms. Taylor, and unfortunately countless others too numerous to name, find healing comfort and peace in the depth of their sorrow, which will likely only come with the realization of genuine change and societal equity. 

I hope that bigotry, prejudice, and racism, in all forms and permutations, recede for all time, and are replaced instead with a recognition of commonality and empathy. 

I hope that the courageous protesters, who have rightfully taken to the streets en masse demanding change, can continue to voice their understandable frustration in a peaceful and safe manner, and not be subjected to unnecessary authoritarianism.

I hope that opportunistic looters and rioters will refrain from any counterproductive destruction and violence, which only impedes meaningful progress. 

I hope that police officers, and their companion first responders, who selflessly perform an extremely brave and vital societal service, continue to feel appreciated and valued, while recognizing the legitimacy of the calls for systematic reform. 

I hope that our communal leaders, in all government positions and private industries, emphatically reject the inclination to exploit divisive divisions, and instead seek out ubiquitous opportunities to unify our “better angels.”

I hope that collectively, as a global society, the God in me (in whatever form you believe, if any at all), can recognize and appreciate the God in you, forevermore. 

I hope. 

I hope we can. 

We can. 

Together. 

Peace and blessings for your journey. 

The inspirational images above were obtained from various open media sources and are properly attributed to the individual photographers and publications, be their identities known or unknown.