Every experience shows that the true source of our problems is that we should love one another but don't. (artwork by Eloise Schneider Mote)
One love.
One purpose.
One goal.
Over the weekend I had the pleasure of seeing the movie, Bob Marley: One Love. It had been in the works for many years, but lack of financial support delayed it coming to the screen. Thanks to Brad Pitt (Yes, that Brad Pitt) and the Marley family, it finally happened.
I will not spend my time writing about Bob’s music, but I do feel his message is always worthy to discuss.
He worked to be a source of hope and peace to the people of his country. During his lifetime, Jamaica went through great civil unrest. The Jamaican Labor Party and the People’s National Party revolted against one another.
Given his popularity and almost royal status among the Jamaican people, he felt it his duty to be a message of peace. He invited the leaders of both parties to join him. The first concert was canceled due to the continued outbreak of violence. Bob, his wife, Rita and his manager were all wounded by gunmen at their home two days before the concert. They all recovered but Bob moved to London and spent two years in self-imposed seclusion.
In April 1978, the One Love concert finally happened. He had already been diagnosed with cancer. Live footage is available of that concert, and you see the two leaders join hands with Bob in a sign of peace. Bob died in 1981 at the age of 36 from his cancer diagnoses.
The movie was a reminder that civil unrest doesn’t exist solely in my country. If you are from the United States, you immediately think of the war between the north and south. Civil unrest is international.
Why is love such a hard emotion to practice and follow? Why must we fight over guns? Why must we persecute and penalize someone for the person they love? The color of their skin? Their religion? Their age? Their disabilities?
Until we get serious about living the example of the message, these questions will go unanswered. Regardless of what religious affiliation you believe, they all point to one thing.
One love.
People complicate things. If only we were more like dogs……
❤️
Yes, Tracey I couldn’t agree more, but man is envious and greedy:(! That has always been for me the core of the problem of mankind. We are sinful and unwilling to accept the boundaries that occur in Life. I wish we could all come together and love one another….perhaps we could see the blessings we do have and be thankful?? It is always what has guided me in my life:)! XO, Pam
I just came home from a family gathering. In the name of love, attendance was almost 100% AND several “quality time” happenings occurred which increased the awesome joy of love. My take away is it takes effort to choose love and sadly some folk don’t choose it. Bob Marley chose love, for which posterity will always be blessed.