I am sitting here reading the news before we go out to celebrate the coming of a New Year. So many stories about the tsunami, it is a terrible tragedy, one that is underlying most of the festivities around the world this year. I cannot imagine the horrible conditions people are facing in South East Asia, but looking at the images of people crowding to grab food packets, and the mess of bodies tangled in mud and debris is a good indication. I am thankful that we have the funds and support in place in Canada so we can help even a little at this time.

What shakes me is the similarity in the images of the tsunami aftermath and the images of the aftermath of war in Iraq. The similarity in the focus of the news coverage, the need for aid. What is different? One is a force of nature, the other a force of man. It is almost like I can't grasp the depth of the tragedy, because it is blurred by the memory of intentional violence. How can people cause such suffering to others when the world and its natural chaos serves up enough? It is almost like Mother Earth, the Universe, All That Is, is telling us something, is showing us how deeply wrong we are when we war. But it is almost as if these tragedies would be more painful, if we were a peaceful planet, that we need to desensitize ourselves against this by creating our own havoc ...

With that, I sign off for this year. Much love to this world, and all that pass within it.