THE DREAM

"You may say that I'm a dreamer,

But I'm not the only one."

The problem we face is as old as the race: suspicion, fear and a need to fight. At the outset all these are survival traits. Here in our cave we are safe. This is our family, our tribe. We trust each other. But out there, beyond our fire place, are the others. We must guard against them. We must be vigilant. We must keep them away from our hunting grounds. We must fight, and kill if necessary, to protect our family. This is how we remain secure.

Gradually, painfully slowly, we realize that our closest neighbors can, sometimes, be trusted. Cooperation, carefully managed, can be useful. But only within our village. Distrust and fear of strangers remains the rule.

Truly, we have an inborn need to hate. Deep down we crave an excuse to fight. This proves our value to the tribe. With time it becomes necessary to look further afield to find enemies that threaten us. The next village perhaps. Or if they prove benign, the next state -- the next country.

Governments have always understood this. Give the people someone to hate. Provide an outlet for their desire to kill. They will follow you. It has never failed. This inborn malevolent scourge continually extends its reach. Hatred spreads to the most distant lands, finally engulfing the entire earth. One day we look over our shoulder and see an angry mob cresting the hill behind us, snarling, fists raised. Advancing toward us they have found the ultimate enemy: the poisonous nature dwelling in each of us. We have doomed ourselves.

This is our ugly, self-inflicted purgatory. It is overwhelming in scope. How can we possibly hope to fix an entire sick world? It seems hopeless. Clearly this primitive mindset is no longer needed. Why can't we get beyond this? What is one to do?

I have this dream.

In the dream the change begins with a small group -- one enlightened tribe. This cadre makes a pact: treat everyone with trust and respect. Just that. Fear and suspicion are the enemy. Every encounter is an opportunity. Consciously seize it. Make it an example. Here, right now, in this moment is your chance. You must not fail. Trust and respect. Trust and respect. Always. It's worth a try.

In the dream this behavior is contagious.

I understand.

An angelic infection spreading outward.

Let me help you with that.

It becomes epidemic.

Don't be concerned, I know you didn't mean it.

A pervasive plague of peace.

Come to my home for a meal.

A beatific blossoming outward.

Here, take my hand.

Beyond cities, beyond states, beyond national boundaries.

We have no problem here.

To the farthest reaches.

I believe you. I trust you.

In the dream each of us is just six degrees of association from everyone. The world changes. One day we look over our shoulder and again see the crowd cresting the hill behind us. But this time they are smiling, This time their arms are open to us.

In the dream we find our true selves at last.

It's worth a try.