Today, the world’s combined heart is breaking again at the news that approximately 300 lives have been lost through what appears to be an horrific mistake in a war zone.  This in no way diminishes the impact of individuals who also leave this earthly existence today, it just feels that way through collective sadness.

There are many avenues for discussions around right/wrong, war/no war, conspiracy theories etc and all the other discussions around this event that have already begun.  Terms like “unspeakable act” have been used in relation to this event, yet speak of it we must.  For in not speaking of it, we do not honour those who have died.  They get swept aside by the collective anger and the gravity of the event itself.  World leaders are falling over themselves in condemnation and it already seems like the individuals that have died are less important that the actual event.

This is not a space for discussing this event in those terms.  This is a space for holding the people impacted by this event – whether directly or indirectly.  Approximately 300 people lost their lives.  As many families have lost a loved one.  Hundreds, if not thousands, of people have lost someone precious in their world.  And countless numbers of others indirectly feel the impact of this event.

Dreams have ceased and hopes have been shattered.  Everyday lives have been changed in the blink of an eye.  For the loved ones of those who have died, this is a heart shattering day.  In time and with love, I truly hope that you are able to find some sense of peace around what has happened.  

We don’t know what will happen as a result of this event; I truly hope that somewhere, somehow there will be something good, something positive, so that we can all hold onto the hope that these people have not died in vain.

But irrespective of that, our lives do go on.  We were not the ones on that plane.  So let us all hold those impacted with much love.  Even though we may not know who they are, where they are, what they look like, we as a global community can still hold them in love.  Let them know that they are not alone in their grief.  Let’s use the power of global connection in a way that may provide some healing.

To those who are impacted, we send you much love and we hold you in our collective and individual hearts.  Honour your loved one in ways that are appropriate for you and know that there is a global community that wants to support you at this time.  You may not receive any answers, and either way, answers will not return your loved ones to this world.  So I would encourage you to celebrate their life, to celebrate the gifts you received from their presence in your life.  Cherish wonderful memories and hold that love in your heart.

For the rest of us who are not directly impacted, I ask of you this: Light a candle to represent the collective souls who died.  If you can, avoid speaking in anger and hatred as this will just perpetuate more of the same.  Focus on the loved ones who have been directly impacted and just hold them with love in your heart.  And then seek to find some peace within yourself – for Lao Tzu said it best…

If there is to be peace in the world,
There must be peace in the nations.

If there is to be peace in the nations,
There must be peace in the cities.

If there is to be peace in the cities,
There must be peace between neighbours.

If there is to be peace between neighbours,
There must be peace in the home.

If there is to be peace in the home,
There must be peace in the heart.

With much love, Sharon