[Nevertheless] It's Not Black and White [Advent 6]

The set may be black and white. The cast may be wearing all black. There isn't a grey area to be seen. But the message is clear: Cease Fire. Stop fighting. Stop judging. Stop seeing someone with opposing views as other and see them as human, equal. Stop chasing your tail in pursuit of what is popular at the expense of others. Seek peace. Forgive.

When you find yourself swept away with agreeing with what is popular, ask yourself if it is what is right - what is good, not only for you, but for others as well. 

"Take a deep breath, and ask yourself, How do I value the person I disagree with? Are they as important as I am, does their voice matter as much as mine?' "

Listen even when you don't agree. Even when you don't like what you hear. Learn. Understand. Realize that other isn't less. That different can still be good. That is doesn't have to be one or the other. Be at peace with those who oppose you, not at war.

"The world will not be destroyed by those who follow along and do evil, but by those who watch them and do nothing."

Seek peace even in the midst of chaos, hardship, tragedy. Peace lives in the setting of the sun, the hug of a friend, in standing up against evil, in accepting others' differences, in forgiveness.

"We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies." Martin Luther King, Jr.

Forgive. Forgive when it's difficult. Forgive when it's the last thing you want to do. Forgive for yourself, not for the other person; with or without an apology; because in doing so you free yourself, it's only then you can be at peace. 

Cease Fire. Stop walking around in life blinded to the plight of others because you are so focused on choosing sides, following the crowd, living life on your terms, holding on to anger, living in black and white. See the light - open your eyes to the spectrum of colors, opinions, choices, likes, dislikes, cultures, and beliefs. See that we are all broken and all equally worthy of forgiveness. Seek opportunities to respond in love. 

"And it is the strong man who stands up in the midst of violence and refuses to return it. It is the strong man, not the weak man, who stands up in the midst of hate and returns love." Martin Luther King, Jr.

[Cease Fire is a production of Epoch Arts in East Hampton, CT. The series of six skits was written by the cast, based on the common theme of Cease Fire.]