There's been a war going on this year, like every year.
People have died from illness, from accidents and old age.
Relationships have ended. Some have transformed into something new, others have died.
A trillion new wounds, so much hurt. Isn't that why violence exists?
All the deep hurt.
I made a film about peace this year. It will be out on January 8th, 2023.
I'll send the link out that same day.
In the meantime, here are some inspiring words from MISS GOD. A little extract from the chapter called ... Peace.
‘You know,’ Miss God said in a sad voice, ‘unfortunately, all the slaughter and murder is only the tip of a huge iceberg, an iceberg called violence. Because people aren’t only violent when they kill but also with lots of other things they do. They oppress, rob, insult and abuse. They exploit fellow human beings, torture animals and rape nature. They lash out with hands and words and don’t stop short at anything. Not only do they harm strangers but also their neighbours and even their own children.’
Olivia lowered her eyes to the ground.
‘So much violence ... I wonder where it comes from?’
Silence.
‘Do you really want to know?’
‘Of course.’
Miss God calmly put down her cup.
‘Alright. The origin of violence lies right here.’
She pointed her finger at her chest.
‘In your heart?’
‘Yes. And in yours too.’
‘In mine?’ Olivia was alarmed. ‘But why?
‘Because everyone gets hurt in life.’
‘I don’t think I was ever hurt by anyone.’
‘Are you sure? No one has ever insulted you? Your parents have never treated you unfairly and you’ve never felt great sadness seeing images of war?’
Miss God was met with silence.
‘Or when your grandfather died, and you felt disappointed by life, didn’t that hurt?’
Olivia turned to the old woman, eyes wide open. How did she know about that?
‘All these painful feelings leave wounds in your heart. And if you don’t heal these wounds, they get infected and cause more pain.’ The old woman paused for a moment. ‘That’s why people are violent, because their pain screams for revenge and keeps them from being peaceful.’
‘And how can I heal the wounds in my heart?’
Miss God smiled at her affectionately.
‘By forgiving.’
‘Sometimes that’s quite difficult though.’
‘No, it’s actually not that difficult at all. And even if it were, it’s the only way to end violence amongst humans. Because as long as you can’t forgive, you won’t find inner peace, and without inner peace there can be no peaceful world either.’
What the old woman said made sense, but Olivia didn’t really know how to tackle this mammoth task.
‘But how do I forgive?’
‘It’s best to start with yourself. Forgive yourself for the mistakes you’ve made, the evil things you’ve said and thought and all the bad feelings you’ve guarded. And most importantly, don’t be afraid because nobody does everything right. Everyone still has a lot to learn, even me.’
She winked at the girl.
‘But I still haven’t quite understood how to do this,’ Olivia said, feeling frustrated and helpless.
‘How can I learn to forgive?’
Miss God took a few deep breaths and briefly closed her eyes. Then she looked at Olivia again.
‘Start by letting go of the past.’
‘Just like that?’
‘Yes, just like that. Whatever happened yesterday doesn’t exist anymore. Why would you want to hold on to it?’
May the new year wash your old pain away.
