Ukraine, Peace, and Purpose

Last night, I listened carefully as Ukrainian President Zelenskyy made an impassioned and historic speech to the joint members of Congress. Among other things --and with great feeling-- he reminded us that our comforts have come to us at great cost, many times over in the history of our country. He didn't remind us about this out of any sense of envy, but instead to show that Ukrainians are going through a similar situation; a battle for the heart and soul of a nation that is being harried by an aggressor state that would strip them of dignity, freedom, and their soul. 

He seems to be a good man, and it was useful (and politically astute of him) to address the American people in our "house"-- he asks not for charity, but for an investment in global security. His speech was met with frequent outbursts of applause and shouts of encouragement from both parties (with a few exceptions). His thanks to Congress and to the American supporters was honest and heartfelt.

Zelenskyy reminded me that when we believe in our cause, and if our cause is one of peace, then it is worth the fight. The fight does not always have to be a physical one, but on the global scale, that is an unfortunate truth more often than not. The fight is also a moral one, and we need to make sure that we don't give in because we are exhausted. Peace is hard to come by.

I'm on break for the next almost two calendar weeks, and I will use this time to re-set my own priorities. I will keep up with this little note to you (and there are only a handful of you--thank you for reading). 

Fun fact: "The Carol of the Bells" is a Ukrainian piece. Here's The Piano Guys' version.

Take care,

C