Pray For Ukraine, But Keep On Living

On February 24, 2022 I was heartbroken to find out that Ukraine was invaded and attacked by the Russian military by air, land, and sea.

I was devastated that innocent people were killed and many injured. And let’s not forget, a nursery bombing and children’s hospital. It was also heartbreaking to see that innocent civilians were attacked while sheltered in a Mariupol theatre.

My thoughts were with these people. I never could understand why harming without caring is becoming normal.

The people who attack others — I wonder how they sleep at night not caring for the harm and sadness they caused someone?

Whatever happened to doing things without any acts of violence? Whatever happened to putting weapons away and doing things peacefully? Whatever happened to KINDNESS?

I felt a big war starting and nothing could stop it. I was hurt like many of you out there. It bothered me for days. I felt guilty if I laughed at a television show or smiled at something not closely related to the attacks in any way.

If I was responsible for hurting someone intentionally, I would have guilt written all over me. I would not sleep and I would feel bothered for a long time because the truth is I was responsible.

But what if it was not me? What if it was someone else? Do I still feel guilty?

I had to ask myself one simple question.

Danny, what was your involvement in the harm of other people?

I quickly answered, absolutely nothing. There was no connection between me and the bad things that happened.

It was absolutely normal to feel hurt and devastated by this tragedy, which proves I have a heart and I have compassion.

But it won’t be healthy for my mental health if I keep on thinking of the situation and stop living my life due to the wrong actions of others. It would not help if I should stop laughing because of guilt.

I began to realize the many things I have and the beautiful country I live in, the health care, the kind and friendly people. I was grateful, blessed, and lucky.

It also would not be healthy if I stressed about the coronavirus. I could not stop it from coming. I could not stop the deaths or the people who were infected by it. (Not in my control).

But, I could do what is right and keep people safe, by following the guidelines like wearing a mask, keeping my distance, staying at home, and getting all two vaccinations and a booster shot.

(The control I had).

I had to accept that it all happened and that one thing is for sure. It was not my fault. What happened was not your fault.

Sometimes we hold things so dear that we feel guilty and blame ourselves when in fact we were not responsible for any of it. So why do we have to stay sad? Why do we have to hold on to guilt? What did we do wrong?

The short answer is we don’t have to stay sad. The actions are done by someone else and they are the ones who are accountable for the wrongdoing, not me and not you.

Yes, it is normal to feel sad about bad things happening in the world, but we must not carry it on throughout our days. We must carry on.

So what do we do? How do we carry on?

We just carry on. We continue doing what is right, we continue helping, and we continue being kind people. We have to; otherwise things can spiral downhill pretty quickly. We must —and I mean MUST—continue to move forward with our lives, despite the negative things that are happening in this world or in our own personal life. Continue focusing on your path.

We are good people who have the tendency to take the world’s problems on our shoulders. But, we have to carry what is on our shoulders with living our own life. We have to create our very own control. And that is the power to control what we can.

Things we can control

• Our thoughts
• Our actions

And doing what is right.

That is where our complete focus needs to go.

Let me give you an example. When that attack happened in Ukraine, I left a positive post that read:
“Please keep people safe. This needs to end more than ever. We need laughter, not harm. We need happiness, not sadness. We need love and peace, not hate and war.”

That was my message to people out there because that is what I truly want, in all sincerity.

I left it there and I had to continue to move on with my life, just praying that people are in fact safe, even though I can’t stop what happens.

I went back to work on writing and being a decent person.

I reminded myself . . .
It is still okay to laugh at things.
It is still okay to smile.
It is still okay to be happy.
It is still okay to continue living my life.

So what about you?

I don’t want to hold on to the heartbreak and neither should you.

The more we hold on, the more it intensifies and the more it intensifies, the more down you are going to feel. It becomes a vicious cycle that must be broken.

So remember, if something is your fault, then correct it if you can and apologize.

If it is not, then my friends you must let it go for your peace of mind.

You have a lot of great things you need to do in your life. You are a GOOD person. Always remember that. And that should give you inner peace.

The next time you feel guilty about something you have no control over, I want you to remember that you are loved by so many people.

You might say. “I am not sure, Danny.” But you are. The kindness you have sprinkled, the smiles you were responsible for, the hearts you have touched, and the joy you have brought, has cemented your place in this world as an Earth Angel.

My Poem for Ukraine.

I stand with the Blue and the Yellow.
Like every good woman and sincere fellow.
We have seen enough violence, hurt, sadness, and hate.
But now we want to see peace, hope, love, and faith.
This war needs to end, as it has taken a toll.
It is now time to fill the holes of the heartbreaking souls.

My name is Danny Gautama.
God bless you Ukraine.
I will not give up on you, through the storms and the rain.