The obvious choice.

I do not subscribe to any set belief system, I have my own inbuilt radar which discerns right from wrong.  I have always thought for myself and following the crowd has never appealed.  I follow the beat of my own drum.  If something feels right and harms none I do it and if it doesn't, I don't.  If an idea resonates, I may, after consideration, take it on.  The ideal of love and forgiveness is a noble one, but life is not as clear cut as that.   Understanding why someone would hurt another is an interesting exercise when one is on the outside of the conflict, but if that hurt encircles one, what then?  I have a choice as does every other human being on the planet.  I have a choice to endure pain or walk away, I have a choice whether to fight back or forgive and I have a choice about how I feel.   It seems that since the dawn of time, humans have preferred revenge over peaceful resolution and this has perpetuated the fact that hate begets hate.  I have experienced injustice and intolerance, I have wanted revenge and to hurt as I have been hurt.  In the end I am human.  Where did this get me?  It made me ill, it made me unhappy and at times I disliked myself intently.  What did this teach me?  It made me realise that although I will feel the emotions, I do not have to act on them.  I am not obliged to forgive, but I can walk away.  I am not obliged to agree, but I can voice my opinion.  I can choose whether I want to expend energy on a thing and give it life or not.  Changing people's perspectives on long held ideologies is near on impossible, but imagine how wonderful the world would be if each person on the planet took it upon themselves to be kind, tolerant and understanding of the other? People could live in harmony on earth if they made the choice to do so. It is that simple.