In the annals of history, we encounter thousands of kings and kingdoms, each with their tales of wars and heroic victories. But how often do we pause to reflect on the selective nature of the history we learn? It's a history that glorifies the winners and conveniently erases the vanquished. In this narrative, those kings who failed to identify and annihilate their opposition are the ones we remember for all the wrong reasons.
But isn't it time we questioned the supposed honor in killing our fellow humans in the name of country, culture, creed, language, kingdom, color, or ethnicity? The world has abundant land and resources to accommodate all of us peacefully. Why, then, do we persist in fighting for possessions that we'll only hold onto for the brief span of our lives?
Consider the countless individuals who have lived and died throughout history. How many of them do we truly remember? The majority of the remembered figures are those who advocated for life, not death. Think of luminaries such as Gautama Buddha, Jesus Christ, Shankaracharya, and Mahatma Gandhi—none of them resorted to violence to make their mark.
To be remembered doesn't require violence; it demands a legacy of compassion and progress. The borders, boundaries, buildings, and monuments we so ardently defend are ephemeral. Ego and ill-gotten gains last only as long as we do, and our time is limited. We don't even have a century to hold onto these fleeting possessions. So why accumulate and preserve so much?
A flood, a storm, or the inexorable march of time can sweep our achievements away. It's time to break free from this cycle of accumulation and aggression. Life isn't all about business and greed. Those who save for many generations—do you even know if your descendants will have the privilege to bring a child into this world?
Saving for the future is prudent, and it benefits both you and society. Yet, a hungry person beside you is of immeasurable value compared to all the wealth hoarded for a future that might never come. What if you were to die tomorrow? Who would manage the vast fortune you've amassed?
Let's cast aside cruelty and ego, recognizing that we are products of our upbringing and societal norms. If circumstances had been different, we might have belonged to another society altogether.
At present, the world is closely watching the Israel-Palestine conflict, taking sides and anticipating the outcome. But isn't it time we questioned the collective wisdom of our actions? Innocent children suffer, and lives are made immeasurably harder, all while we stand by and observe. It's a tragedy, and only if we had some sense, we would know that the path to true progress lies in unity and peace, not division and violence.
