Written by Week 9 it is and the world changed. Russia attacked Ukraine in a ruthless act. Europe and the world are seeing the first war between two countries on European soil since the end of World War II.
Humanity was pretty close to nuclear extinction in the last 70 years. Our younger generation (myself included) learned all about it in history books, thinking how stupid humans were to let that happen, how much money was wasted in arms races, how much harm was done in East and West in the name of military doctrines. All part of the past right?
Not since the last weeks of February. It all seems like a total 180. Everyone is talking about possible WW III, and nuclear strikes. My fatherland Germany after years of demilitarization is increasing the military spending budget again (by 100 billion EUR). Everybody going to public schools and driving on the autobahn in Germany knows that money should be better used somewhere else.
When I was 11, the Iron Wall came down. 33 years ago it will be this year in November. Since then, old enemies grew together; treaties for peace and demilitarization were signed. Almost the whole European continent became the European Union during that time, where travel without borders and restrictions is possible. Why? Because we thought that peaceful coexistence brings humanity further than aggression and threats – until last week.
Why am I writing about this here in my OneHeart Challenge block? Because it is another challenge on top of everything else. We are all part of a system, a globalized organism and we cannot ignore wrong doing even if it happens half around the globe. We cannot back down in face of injustice. We are building and deepening our moral compass with the teaching of martial arts.
Vladimir Putin was a 9th degree honorable black belt in Taekwondo since this week when World Taekwondo revoked his title. “World Taekwondo strongly condemns the brutal attacks on innocent lives in Ukraine, which go against the World Taekwondo vision of ‘Peace is More Precious than Triumph’ and the World Taekwondo values of respect and tolerance. World Taekwondo’s thoughts are with the people of Ukraine and we hope for a peaceful and immediate end to this war,” the organization said in a statement.
It seems Mr. Putin forgot some of these teachings.
Great post, Dirk-san. Doesn’t the old saying right true; absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Peace is harder than war as it takes resolve, patience, communication, compromise and the desire for those with wealth and power to use it wisely and not for their own agenda and self-preservation, but for ALL of us.