Surjit Singh Flora
Love is simpler and more lucrative than hatred; hence, let the seasonal spirit become reality.
We are in that festive month when people all over the world will be enjoying Christmas.
Not just for children, but also for adults, the build-up to Christmas Day is typically the most fascinating aspect of the season. One thing that really sticks out to me is the additional effort many individuals make to treat others with respect and decency.
After all, this is the core of Christmas, and God sends his son to save us and extend his love to the world. However, the world is currently facing war, with hostilities raging in the Middle East and North Africa, specifically in the following territories: Cyprus, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Turkey, Yemen, and Western Sahara.
Peacekeeping efforts in Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine are in disarray. Diplomatic attempts to resolve conflict throughout the world are failing. More leaders use military force to achieve their goals. People feel they can get away with it.
Gaza is currently the most dangerous place on Earth. Since the battle intensified in October, more than 42,000 people have died in the Gaza Strip, with over 99,000 injured. Over 60% of the victims are civilians. About 1.9 million Palestinians, nearly the whole population of Gaza, have had to leave their homes. The most serious current conflict in the world is in Sudan. In March, the war in Syria marked its fourteenth year of hate crimes. Recent crime rates have surged, particularly in murder cases, terror attacks, and bomb blasts, worsening the situation.
Also, the climate crisis has emerged as one of the most significant challenges of our era for several years now. Water shortages are especially challenging for the Middle East and North Africa, yet they are also impacting numerous other nations, including Peru, Kenya, Syria, Afghanistan, and Somalia.
In these locations, climate change is anticipated to exacerbate and cause enormous relocation. Millions of people will migrate from rapidly drying up areas where they are unable to earn a living to cities in search of employment opportunities.
While the Canadian Liberal government is facing challenges, Prime Minister Trudeau has acknowledged that his immigration program has resulted in the use of the system by “bad actors” such as “fake colleges” and major companies. Pierre Poilievre leads the Conservatives in the polls, yet half the population worries about a Poilievre administration. Over half of Canadians suspect a “hidden agenda.” His explicit declarations are alarming enough without digging.
In India and Canada, there exists a significant amount of hate, anger, and bitterness between Sikhs and Hindus. This does not contribute to our progress as a nation. As a nation, we must stand resilient and overcome all that lets us down.
Let us put aside all our little differences, what separates us, and love again. Let the spirit of the season become a reality because love is easier and more profitable than hate.
Because humans tend to like company, Christmas is really powerful in relationships. Regardless of the boundaries of a country, the quality of a relationship with neighbors, or the bond with family members, Christmas holds immense power.
I wonder if you have heard of the five languages of love and peace. They are quality time, gifts, service behaviors, physical contact, and words of affirmation.
There are vacations and school time, which provide people with time to get together. People exchanged numerous gifts and felt deeply cared for. There were many hugs and kisses, as well as general contact, as people felt closer to one another. There were a lot of positive and kind words, as Christmas is a time to “be kind to everyone.”
Being kind to others actually produces a happy chemical in our body. In addition, we indulge in our favorite foods during the Christmas season. We decorate everything beautifully and aim to make people feel satisfied and happy. It brought back many memories.
Additionally, the music is relaxing, pleasant, or calm. This may be more relevant today. Today is a new day: let us love again, restoring peace and harmony in our blessed land. We can do it if we try-one nation, one nation working together to improve the whole world, is its mother earth.
(The writer is a veteran journalist and freelance writer based in Brampton).
