keep walking

Above all, do not lose your desire to walk. Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness. I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it. But by sitting still, and the more one sits still, the closer one comes to feeling ill.... If one keeps on walking, everything will be alright.
– Soren Kierkegaard (1813 - 1855)

born into a light

for everything that's wrong, there is a worried man,
there is a reason why. and we just don't understand,
but well, you've gotta' keep the faith.

for everyone alone, i wish you faith and hope,
all the strength to cope, to be your own best friend,
have confidence, and keep the faith.

be patient -- the past is just a memory.
and heal your mind, you'll heal inside eventually.
we were born into a light

-- ryan adams (2008)

war and patriotism

"Of course, the people do not want war. Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to the farm in one piece. Naturally, the common people don't want war . . . that is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along -- whether it is a democracy or a fascist dicatorship or a parliament or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country."

-- Hermann Goering (Luftwaffe commander, German Third Reich) 1946