every individual can make a difference ... if we continue to leave decision making to the so-called decision makers, things will never change.

The refugees flee to protect their families from violence; the Europeans, on the other hand, fear for their jobs that they need to feed their families.

For those who have experienced the joy of being alone with nature there is really little need for me to say much more; for those who have not, no words of mine can ever describe the powerful, almost mystical knowledge of beauty and eternity that come, suddenly, and all unexpected.

Let us develop respect for all living things. Let us try to replace violence and intolerance with understanding and compassion. And love.

Change happens by listening and then starting a dialogue with the people who are doing something you don't believe is right.

But does that mean that war and violence are inevitable? I would argue not because we have also evolved this amazingly sophisticated intellect, and we are capable of controlling our innate behavior a lot of the time.

I have found that to love and be loved is the most empowering and exhilarating of all human emotions.