Give Peace a Chance

Now, I don't know about you, but last week I was absolutely appalled by the news coverage of the minister in Florida who was planning to burn copies of The Koran on September 11.  Actually, I'm not sure which was worse - his plan, or the amount of news coverage he received.  It didn't help that he reminded me of my late mother-in-law's friend.  His name was Dick, and I always referred to him as "The World's Most Appropriately Named Man."

But I digress.  What I am trying to say is that last week's events made me wish I could walk up to people in other countries, whether or not they were Muslim, and explain that although I had my own personal faults, I was not like that guy just because I was an American.  And that I didn't think that they were terrorists just because they were Muslim, or from countries known for large groups of terrorist cells. 

I remember once seeing a bumper sticker that said, "If you want world peace, fight for justice."  Another thing that is not always easy to do on any kind of large or grand scale, with any amount of success.  But optimist that I am, I do think that individual actions can make a difference, even if only to a few people at any given time.  And I do like to find opportunities to step outside of myself to help others, or make some kind of difference.  The biggest problem that I have is that apparently deep down, I am quite a lazy person.  Which greatly interferes with my mission to help others and change the world.

Through a listing on a Ravelry forum, written by our own beloved Carol, I came across something that is both worthwhile, and easily accomplished by lazy ones such as myself.  I'm sharing it with all of you, in the hopes that there may be one or two of you reading who find it worth a try as well.

Take a look at Iraqi Bundles of Love (IBOL), now in its second year.  This is the sort of thing I like - allowing me to make use of things I may already have by passing some of them along to others who may need/like/enjoy them.  The idea that a person in Iraq may find the box I send exciting/useful/fun/whatever, and therefore hopefully realize that Americans can be friendly and kind as well as crazy-crackers-on-a-supposed-godly-mission, appeals to the worldpeacenik in me as well as the knitter/person who sews/well-meaning bleeding heart liberal.  On top of which, it's a lazy person's dream, as far as the execution of the thing!

I have been collecting sewing supplies as well as knitting supplies, and am so happy to pass them along to someone who will be happy to have them, and will be able to make use of them.  I may only be able to send one box, but if everyone sends even one box, that will be a huge success. 

Now I can hear some of you saying that there are plenty of causes right here at home that need exposure and support, and I agree with you 100%.  However, I also believe that you don't have to choose one over another, or feel bad if you do or don't participate.  Each person knows their own feelings and their own situation, and makes their decision based on that.  So yes, if you are so inclined, please participate in Iraqi Bundles of Love. 

Just remember to not stop there.  Every day is an opportunity to help someone in some way, and if any one of us can do that somehow on any given day, then it's been worth the time spent writing this post.

Have a peaceful evening, my friends.