I woke up today to the morning news.  Why do I do this to myself?  Why do I feel compelled to start my day with an account of all the unfortunate things happening in the world.  I consider that perhaps this is not the most fruitful and calming way to head into my day.  So, today (and certainly on many other days) I remind myself of all the joys in the world, of all I have to be grateful for and that I have the ability to make a difference in our world.  I can be one small, shining point of positivity (that doesn't sound too mushy, does it?).  

This morning, I was reminded of an incident about two months ago when a friend of mine went off to Pakistan, during all the bombings there, to do good works in women's education and health care.  A courageous act.  While she was there, I woke up to the news of two bombings in Karachi.  Normally this is news that bothers me in a distant way - I am saddened that humans rise to this level of violence against other humans.  That day it worried me at a more personal level, for obvious reasons.  One of the bombings was at a hospital.   My friend was working at a hospital.  Was she alright?  I had no idea for a good part of the day until she checked her email.  

Now, as I consider what life must be like in places where violence is a frequent occurrence, I also consider how fortunate I am to live in Canada.  I have only known safety and human rights and education and many, many luxuries.  This is something to remember to be grateful for.  Who knows?  It could disappear without our attention and intention.  So as I say a prayer today for all those impacted by violence, I also say a prayer that more people in the world will experience peace, safety and many small comforts in their lives.

I also wonder about my own contribution to peace.  What have my thoughts been this week?  Have they been negative?  Positive?  How have I been of service this week? How have I taken responsibility for creating more of what I treasure?

Two weeks ago I was invited to attend a friend's Canadian citizenship ceremony which included a Canadian Mounty and a Judge to welcome these new Canadians.  I don't think I had truly given much thought to how hard some of our newest Canadians have worked or fought to live here and how much many have given up in choosing to live here and how much several have gained.  It wasn't until speaking with my friend about what gaining his citizenship meant to him that I realized how much I take for granted about my home, my country; about what it means to be Canadian.  During the ceremony, the Judge spoke about what the Mounty represented - justice and safety - and the Judge spoke about the responsibility these new Canadians now have to know their rights and to use their voices to protect their rights, which are our collective and individual rights. 

Sitting in that ceremony, I felt so honoured to be there as the 'welcoming committee'; I felt honoured and proud that this roomful of people would choose to come and live here with me.  It made me feel a new sense of responsibility.  These people have come to Canada to live in peace in a country that respects their rights, as well as mine. Today, I feel that renewed sense of responsibility as I hear the news and see the video replay of unfortunate and uncalled for police violence.  It is the kind of violence one expects in other places in the world that do not value and respect humans and human rights and non-violent, legal process.  Unfortunately, it is violence taking place in Canada, in my city.  I don't feel proud or honoured today.  I feel loss and concern and a shrinking sense of safety.  Are those who we entrust to keep us safe, these agents of Canada and Canadian justice, the very ones we must fear?

These are the questions I ask myself as I wonder if I will actually post this blog…(on gratitude, supposedly).  And in shrinking back from this responsibility to speak out, I realize that it will be my loss if I do not act with responsibility and use my voice and freedom of speech to express concern and remind and call forth the values that make this country so desired a place for safety and peace.  I live in Canada, I have a voice, I value our collective 'whatever-it-is-that-makes-us-Canadian'.  And for that I am grateful.