From 1861-1865, the United States fought a bloody Civil War. One hundred and fifty years later, we are still fighting at home and abroad because we do not have patience or tolerance for beliefs other than our own.
For 2016, I wish each of you peace, health, happiness, and the ability to travel and pursue adventures without being fearful. ☮
Check this link out to see other interpretations of the challenge, circle.
NewEnglandGardenAndThread 
Great interpretation Judy. Sad conclusion, but true.
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Hear, hear! No fear!
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Well said.
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Fine words, Judy……fine words for all to hear.
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Judy, the Civil War was a sad time in our history. Although I believe that your statements are sometimes and perhaps too often true, I think that not all wars in which we (or other countries) have been involved are due to our intolerance, but are sometimes necessary when the intolerance of others threatens the freedoms of those who wish to live their lives as they choose. We must be intolerant of those who attempt to seize the freedoms and lives of others. Do we always choose our wars wisely? No. Are all wars necessary? Certainly not. But there are wars which we must fight, even though there isn’t always agreement as to agree which ones they are. I think WWI and WWII are examples of necessary wars, wars where the belief of lebensraum and blaming problems on people of different religions and ethnicity attempted to subjugate other nations. Having said all this, I still pray for and hope for peace.
I echo your hopes and wishes for all the world.
janet
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Good assessment, Janet, because it is a complicated issue deciding if, when, and where to involve our Armed Services. I’m really not trying to get political here but I guess it just came to mind after watching the news and all the cases of violence we see every day. Here’s to safer times in 2016 for all of us.
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I didn’t think you were getting political, Judy, and I completely understand your feelings. Here’s to safer times and peace in 2016!
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I agree with both of you. Some wars just have to be fought. Others we should avoid at all costs. But I am certainly grateful for having the US on our side living in a small country in the north of Europe 🙂
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Today, we definitely live in one big global world. These acts of violence that we are all dealing with certainly impacts us all. 🙂
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Absolutely. I have to travel many times to Paris for my work but since the attacks I don’t enjoy the visits anymore. But we should never surrender to terror. So I go and do what I always do: drink a beer in a French Cafe and pretend to have fun 😉
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Yes, it is not quite as carefree to travel anymore and you tend to not let your guard down. Here’s to safe but good trips to Paris for you this year. 🙂
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Very wise words, Judy. We need peace and to be sure in tomorrow. Happy new year!
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AMEN!
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Lovely wishes–I wish you all the same, Judy!
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I wish, somehow, we had the ability to look backwards at the inevitable suffering and loss of life on both sides before committing to war. Then, the answer to the question, “Was it all worth it?” might be different than originally thought – in some, but not all circumstances.
Beautiful photo, Judy. One that immediately brings the “brother against brother” conflict to mind.
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Hoping this tolerance is “found” because, Judy, we sure “lost” our way in 2015.
Happy new beginnings and wishing you good health, safe travels and joyful moments for 2016, Judy! 🙂 Hugs, Robin
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I think I’ve written something very similar. We agree. I wish more people could see where ranting and hating can take us … Well, let’s hope things work out and 2016 is the beginning of good stuff for us all. We CAN hope.
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Perfectly said Judy. I agree wholeheartedly. It’s a terribly broken world these days, let’s hope for better days ahead. All the best to you in the new year.
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I love your picture and I love your sentiment, too! John Lennon must be turning over in his grave. We were the hippy generation — the children of peace and look at where we’ve gotten? Sure is disappointing and not the future I thought we would be building.
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It just never seems to end. It just ramps up. Very disappointing.
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I am so tired of war, especially with my son deployed. But life is a circle and what goes around, comes around. All wars have to end sometime. I hope you have a wonderful new year. 🙂
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Thank you to you, your family and especially your son for serving in our Armed Forces. I pray along with you for his safe return and for a world where we don’t have to send our young men and women off to war.
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Such meaningful words, Judy. I echo your sentiment throughout the coming year. Wishing you a lovely new year! ♡
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Beautiful Judy, Happy New Years to you and yours.
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As FDR said, freedom from fear is one of the essential freedoms. And we can’t exercise it unless we free ourselves from our irrational fear of those who are different. Which is not to say that SOME fears are not entirely irrational.
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Great picture, thank you for sharing!
All the best for 2015, Sabrina.
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