All the World's a Stage

CNN World Headquarters, Atlanta, GA

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts….
--William Shakespeare, As You Like It

If ever there’s been a stage with its players…if ever a time for exits and entrances…it’s been this 2012 American presidential election, ready to take its “final” bow tomorrow.

Fear not.  This is not a political announcement and I do NOT approve that message.

This is an announcement about the world being our stage.  Not America.  Not the UK.  Not Europe.  The WORLD.  The  w h o l e   w i d e   w o r l d.

This is an announcement about how love wins, not hate.  About how peace begins with us in our own homes and relationships.  No matter who wins the election tomorrow!

For the past 7 years I have lived in Europe part or full-time every month.  For the last 3 years it’s been full-time, while married to my Dutch wife.  It actually helps to get away to see America as others outside see it.  As Astrid and her co-workers see it.  You learn what truly is ugly.  What makes your eyes roll. 

I’m not always proud to be an American, to be honest….

BUT. 

I AM an American and have a rich heritage of freedoms many in the rest of the world can only dream of.  For one, I can vote, and I did.  My absentee ballot was mailed over a month ago, and even though it’s from a very RED state and means my vote probably doesn’t count, I had the freedom to vote.  I’d like to believe it counts on some level.  Sure, I can’t yet move back to said Red State with Astrid as my wife (or any state, for that matter, Red or Blue), but I had the freedom to leave and marry her here.  [And we can go back to visit without being stoned.]

Love wins, not hate.  And so as the stage takes on a new energy tomorrow, regardless of who wins, my heart is expanding to accept it, at all costs.  Against all odds.  If my candidate wins, will I be gracious in victory?  If my candidate loses, will I be gracious in defeat, trusting a Greater Power to stem the tide of a rearing, vitriolic head seldom seen in election years?

Talk about the gut-wrenching power of social media!  The money spent!

When the dust settles from all the lies and hate, we’ll be left with the world stage and how America will once again find her way.  I watched her stumble and lose her foothold there for awhile.  Then she started to stand tall once again.  Does she need to be #1 in the world?  I doubt it.  Does she need to be the best in everything?  She’s not!  I'm over it.  But does she need to lead by example and get her house back in order?  Oh yes, Virginia.  YES.

The choice tomorrow is America’s but the impact is on the entire world, whether we like it or not.  Will we embrace ourselves as well as the rest of the human family on earth?  Will we move forward in the spirit of solidarity?  Will we cooperate globally?  Will we Blog4Peace?  

Merely players.  Exits and entrances.  Many parts.  The grand scheme of things.  Love, not hate.  Peace, not war. 

Dona Nobis Pacem
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me!
(I approve this message.)