Cowboys and Indians

Little Johnny was born at a time of exploration and conquest. A world was ending and a new one was being shaped, (a white men's world).

Incidentally, Johnny was born on the conquerer's side of the story. From the cradle, he was told that his people were 'good', and that out there, in the fringes of their 'good' town, beyond the fences of their ranches, lurked a beastly kind of people. Savages. Brutes. Rapists. Killers. 'Bad' people to be watched carefully, and resisted fearlessly.

Of course, he was also told stories of heroes with guns and fearless attitudes, riding off into the sunset, once the 'good' fight was won.

For much of his childhood, Johnny dreamt of being such a hero. When he was of age, he joined the cavalry, and was handed a hand gun, a riffle and a horse. He was on top of the world.

Then one day, he was part of a contingent that was sent to help remove some 'bad' people. When they arrived on site, they were in front of a encampment that was filled with elder people, women and children.

These 'bad' people had been told to leave this land they had settled on. But they wouldn't, because winter was coming, and besides they belonged to this land.

After a few days of meetings, orders were given to use force (bullets). Johnny's heart sank as he heard the orders. How could he fire on children, women and old people? How could anyone do that? But orders were orders, and Johnny was a soldier.

That day Johnny cried, moaned and died a little inside with every bullet he fired. That day haunted Johnny for the rest of his life. Who was 'good'? and who was 'bad'? Johnny could no longer tell.

And although he went on with his life, the way everyone does, married and had children, Johnny could never sleep in peace again till the day he died.

When the tide is turning around us, when the world begins spinning around and everything is going to go upside down, may we use the momentum and energy of this 'happening' to review our unquestioned beliefs and release the ones that aren't in line with our highest aspirations, and deepest nature.

We are One.