Abigail Adams wrote to her son, John Quincy Adams (when he was about to become president in a time of great turmoil and challenge)
“These are the times in which a genius would wish to live. It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a pacific situations, that great characters are formed. The habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties. Great necessities call out great virtues. When a mind is raised and animated by scenes that engage the heart, then those qualities which would otherwise lay dormant, wake into life and form the character of the hero and statesman.”
A story of Love and Peace in a time of war
“I’m going to Afganistan”
Hi Bears
It is Ethan. I just spent 2 months volunteering at The Option Institute and I’m back in Denmark and I’m going on a mission to Afghanistan with the Danish Army. When I came back I waited about two weeks thinking of what to do if I didn’t want to work in the army. Then this mission comes along with a special want for a Sergeant 1st Class to a CIMIC-unit. The work of CIMIC (CIvil and MIlitary Cooperation) is about talking to the civil people of Afghanistan, finding out where to build new schools, wells, bridges and so on. That means for me that I will help out without attacking anybody and I feel that I am the perfect person for the job, because I don’t need to be attached to the outcome of what happens and I have a wonderful tool of options to help my friends if they want it. It also is a job of spreading love and acceptance – a wonderful opportunity to love a lot of people who might never have seen that kind of love before.
When I come back I will have money to come back to The Option Institute and then I will see you again :-).
I have meant to write a long letter to you about everything, but for now I just want to tell you this:
“If the universe should one day stop to exist there would still be my gratitude for everything I have learned from you, Bears”
Love and acceptance
– Ethan
Dear Awesome Ethan,
I was so deeply touched by your email. Of all the folks that I could imagine going to this hotbed of discontent and violence and precipitating outcomes of understanding and love not yet imagined, it would be you. On the ground. In the streets. Person-to-person. I had the honor of having you attend many Monday morning opening sessions – to watch you jump in, to watch you consider and play with new ideas, to watch you transform and grow, to experience your deep level of integrity and authenticity. As I read your words, I realized how much you will bring to the people of Afghanistan…with your attitude of open-heartedness and with your mission to understand, to love and be of service. I am very touched and optimistic by who you are and how you have chosen to be in the world. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers…and I will, indeed, be most excited and pleased to welcome you back when you return.
With much love and gratitude, Bears