“You hold the key to love and fear. All in your trembling hand.”
Do those words sound familiar? Do they unleash a rush of images and emotions? Probably so, if you are of a certain age. They surely do for me. Actually, the song “Get Together” by The Youngbloods makes me cry. It brings on a sense of longing that I’ve written about before.
Back in the sixties and seventies when I was growing up, there were these beings called hippies. They dressed in bright colors and denim and had big hair that smelled like patchouli oil, a scent that still intoxicates me and makes me feel instantly alive and in love.
Back in the day; in love with George & Arlo
Mostly, though, hippies made beautiful music. They sang about love and peace and togetherness; and here’s the thing – they BELIEVED in it. They were imperfect people like you and I, and most of them were “just kids,” at least that’s what politicians and corporations supporting the Vietnam War called them to belittle their demands for peace.
Songs of Peace w/ Dennis & Mike
But those kids believed. They thought if they just took over enough college admin buildings and held enough sit-ins and boycotts and rallies and marches on Washington that they could end that war. And they did. They dragged their aunts and uncles and mothers and fathers and eventually the politicians towards peace.
We Believed
That’s why The Youngbloods song makes me sad. Because I still want to believe in the power of love and peace that they sang about; I still want to believe that if the people lead, eventually the leaders will follow.
Look at Us
But look at us now. Look. Look at the bombs, look at the destruction, look at the trillions America spends on spreading fear and death – I can’t even keep track of the number of wars we’re engaged in.
Lately I’m hearing dire warnings from the Pentagon that if their budget is cut, they “won’t be able to go as many places or do as many things.” Read: “We won’t be able to kill as many people.”
Look at the assault weapons spraying our schools with bullets and the arsenals being built up in private homes and the hate speech on the TV and the radio.
We are going the wrong direction. The Youngblood’s message didn’t take. Or it hasn’t yet.
Keep Hope Alive
I’m a Christian. I believe that Divine Love runs through every human being. If we allow it, this mighty river of love will wash away our pride and fear and ego so that we can become little rivulets of Divine Love in the world.
Rivulets run together and become rushing rivers that become oceans. This gives me hope.
That’s why I’m a Blogger for Peace — to join other rivulets of peace. This month, we’re issuing a challenge to raise the visibility of peace in the blogosphere. If you blog, please join us by clicking here. You just need to blog about peace once a month – inner peace, family peace, world peace – just speak for peace. If you’re not a blogger, would you please consider stopping by the Be 4 Peace blog and “following” it? It doesn’t sound like much, but it didn’t sound like much when the hippies held their first sit-in either.
C’mon People — Unlock Peace
You hold the key to love and fear
All in your trembling hand
Just one key unlocks them both
It’s there at your command
So c’mon people now, smile on your brother – everybody get together, try to love one another right now.
This month Bloggers for Peace suggested we write about music and peace. That’s what prompted this post, and it’s why I’m asking you to listen to this beautiful anthem and then say a prayer that you might use your key to unlock love, not fear. Please listen:
Related Posts:
Here’s a nice post for peace from a fellow blogger for peace: http://bluegrassnotes.wordpress.com/2013/07/09/letter-to-divine-creator-monthly-peace-challenge/
http://bloggers4peace.wordpress.com/2013/02/11/kozo-cheri-asks-that-you/
http://everydaygurus.com/2012/12/20/we-can-make-a-difference-right-here-right-now/
Writing with Spirit 
Oct 21, 2013 @ 22:06:40
Hi Melanie: I am posting again because I noticed I misspelled several things and left some words out. You can delete the original with the mistakes if you want. I came upon this blog while searching for the lyrics to the Youngbloods’ song “Get together.” I was sixteen in 1967, when I believe the
song came out. I totally agree with all you said; the way the world is today is why there are so many people (including myself) who are on anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs. Nice is no longer cool, and for the sensitive people of the world, this is a bummer. I sure do hope it gets better. I almost think that we need Jesus to come back and fix things, they are that messed up. It makes me sad, too, that the ideals we had in the 60′s seem to have flown out the window and have been replaced by greed, selfishness and thoughtlessness.
Thanks for posting your views on the internet. I know that there are many others like us out there who long for a change to peace, love and reverence for the divine. God’s blessings on you!
Oct 21, 2013 @ 22:16:13
I like to think we’re in a pendulum swing and that people will tire of the me-centered culture and swing back to loving one another.
Perhaps not in our life times, perhaps not in time to do anything about the environmental catastrophe that greed has brought upon us, but sometime in the future…
Thanks for commenting. Glad you liked it.
Aug 08, 2013 @ 17:18:57
Although I was very young, I remember this song. I still believe. I believe that we went to sleep for a couple of decades, but we are awakening again. I believe in divine love and godliness in all our hearts.
Thank you for the years of service towards Peace, Melanie. The torch is still lit and there is a whole new generation ready to carry it. {{{hugs}}} Kozo
Aug 12, 2013 @ 09:55:23
That’s exactly what I wanted to hear!! I just spent a few days at a social justice festival with several thousand Christians who are about love instead of judgment (kinda like the guy they follow) – it was very encouraging! Lots of young people. Thanks!
Aug 07, 2013 @ 04:37:58
Reblogged this on balkrishkumarchaudhary.
Aug 05, 2013 @ 17:01:16
I love that song too — and yes, I was actually around when it came out. Thanks for the mention.