I (Still) Have A Dream

The world is in crisis. No question about it.

The question is: How do we respond?

We could become cynical. We could choose to ‘opt out’, to not get emotionally involved in any of it anyore, out of a feeling of helplessness, despair or overwhelm. Because, at the end of the day, ‘What does it matter, what I think and do…?’

We could become angry at those who don’t agree with us, those we consider part of the problem.

Or we could try something else.

The world is in crisis and at the root of the crisis lies the sentiment ‘I am right and you are wrong.’ A crisis sustained by division will not be dissolved by cynicism or anger.

If we try out a different approach, we might be seen as ‘naïve hippies’ or ‘dreamers’. Some years ago this was a label that might have bothered me.

Today, I say with pride that I am a dreamer, and I very much intend to stay one. Dreaming of world peace might not be ‘realistic’ – but that’s not the point.

The point is, that this world needs more dreamers. If we don’t dare to say that we dream of peace anymore, for fear of being ridiculed, then where are we heading…?

Confronted with cynicism or anger it is easy to react with similar sentiments. It happens to me. But I do not want to surrender myself to these unhelpful feelings. Because I deeply believe that this cannot be the solution.

The solution can only be to strive for peace, within ourselves and in the world.

The less cause for optimism there seems to be, the more important it is that we keep dreaming. Because every positive change in the world started with people who dared to dream.

The dreaming will not likely result in world peace.

But it might result in not starting an argument with another family member. In not posting a hateful comment on social media. It might result in people starting to talk to each other more, rather than shout at each other.

It might result in small but important changes.

And as history has taught us so many times, it is the sum of people who dare to dream which make positive change happen.

Positive change takes time – but it is possible. And it always starts with people coming together and refusing to give up dreaming.

Let us reflect today and on any day, how we can make a small positive contribution.

I dream of a climate in which the leaders of the world approach each other with an attitude of ‘This is my opinion.  And I would be curious to hear your view on this.’

I realise that world peace might remain a dream. But we are the ones who can approach our family, neighbours and strangers in the spirit of peace.

In the worst case, it won’t make a big difference to the world. But it will certainly make a difference to our human heart, which is not designed to accommodate large brick walls.

The human heart is designed to be vast, open, loving and light.

Let’s push those creaky heart doors open and let the cobwebs be cleared out by a fresh breeze of imagination. Because when is the right time to start dreaming, if not now?