I first saw this as a post in Facebook. Curious to know more, I read a detailed article on a website about World War II history.
The enduring friendship that was forged during the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany between American athlete, Jesse Owens, and German athlete, Carl “Luz” Long was truly inspirational.
I highly recommend reading the full article, and especially the last letter that Luz Long wrote to Jesse Owens. It’s deeply touching and also a real testament to the truth of our oneness in spirit.
Titled “One Day On The Fields of France,” it’s based on a true story from World War I, and conveys a beautiful message of healing through forgiveness. At the same time it reminds us that wars and division and conflict are not our natural state.
“One Day On The Fields of France” by Greg Tamblyn
Swami Kriyananda also put it beautifully in one of the most beloved of his songs, “Brothers”:
Then brothers, why endeavor To set ourselves apart? The fences we’ve been building Squeeze tight upon our hearts! Come sing the truth that all men are brothers! Come sing the truth that all men are— Brothers!
A violinist friend from my classical music days responded to Saturday’s blog post (in which I describe enjoying some “serious R&R” time) with the following quote:
“We have a tendency to think in terms of doing and not in terms of being. We think that when we are not doing anything, we are wasting our time. But that is not true. Our time is first of all for us to be. To be what? To be alive, to be peaceful, to be joyful, to be loving. And that is what the world needs most.” — Thich Nhat Nanh
So many of us need to read reminders like this regularly.
In fact, while I was sitting and simply staring off into space that day, I found myself remembering another quote which I love; I heard it many years ago, but have no idea who originally said it): “Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits.”
Bottom line is we need to spend more and more of our time remembering that “Spirit is the journey; the body is the bus.” And that we’re human beingsnot human doings.
