While in Indy, I read "Eat, Pray, Love", which I had sort of had on my list for a while, but of which I had no expectations. I enjoyed it. I envied her freedom in Rome to wander in search of the best Neapolitan pizza and gelato, the time she had in India to pray, and the peace she found in Indonesia. And I was impressed by her ability to put words to her spiritual struggles, emotional turmoil, and self-discoveries. While slightly Eastern in its spiritual bent, it wasn't beyond my ability to relate strongly to her experiences in prayer. I laughed out loud multiple times, cried a little bit, and am already planning all the food I'm going to eat next time I'm in Italy.
Finally saw "Avatar." In 3-D. An incredible experience, a visual treat, a moving story. I really enjoyed every minute of it, but part of it got me to thinking. When the general guy (sorry for being ignorant of his name or rank) is rallying the troops against the "native savages" and convincing them that the only way to survive is to attack, I couldn't help but think of all the times we as a country have invaded other lands, displaced people, and killed innocents. I have to believe that most of these were triggered by something more noble than a capitalist endeavor and corporate greed, but regardless, the soldiers believed that they were completely in the right, that they were justified 100% in their vicious attack. They were led to believe that this was the only option. What about the option of leaving? What about the option of exploring other stores of this valuable metal? I can only pray that when American generals (or any generals for that matter) are rallying the troops, they consider all the options, and consider that ours aren't the only lives affected.
