It’s difficult to write about Ukraine and I wonder what I could possibly add to the commentary. On the other hand, I can’t remain silent before such an affront to the dignity, honor, and life of the Ukrainian people that is the illegal, and outrageous invasion by Vladimir Putin’s military. I hope and pray the Ukrainian people will be able to defend their country and regain their sovereignty with the least cost in blood. The economic costs are already unfathomable, and I hope, and expect, that the international community will force Russia to pay for all damages resulting from this act of war.
I continue to believe and advocate for solidarity with people, and only extend that solidarity to governments insofar as they synchronize with the will of their peoples. The Ukrainian people have already demonstrated their desire to protect their nation and country, and the Ukrainian government, with all its limitations, has proven itself to be a power for organization, integration and defense of the people within the national boundaries of Ukraine. Given that, I hope the government and people receive whatever aid they require to push back the invading army and defeat the Russian aggression.
Like millions, or billions, around the world, I continue to stay informed about the struggle in Ukraine, and at the same time continue, as best I can, to carry on with my life. I’m personally convinced that this is only the beginning of an unwinding of the world order as it confronts huge obstacles, most, if not all, of our own making. I see it as an open question whether or not our species can survive the damage it has wrought on the earth as it has destroyed ecosystems, exterminated other species, and set the planet on a course, the consequences of which we can’t possibly fathom with our intellectual limitations, but which our best minds tell us is disastrous. Never has there been a more apt time for us to rethink all our values, our assumptions, our beliefs, our convictions, and our idea of “the good life” and our work to realize that in the world. The core of our work must now, as always, be peace-making, healing and restoration of the natural processes of life that we for so long have thought we could control, manipulate and “re-engineer” in our favor. I’ve never been more convinced than now that all that work has to begin in my heart, and in yours.
May we continue that work with honesty, integrity and love.