Memorial day reflections

Sunday at 10:44pm Edit Note Delete

It is a day of remembrance and reflection, it is time to pray for those have passed away, whether they are related to us or not. Please take a few moments to remember all those who have influenced, affected and cared for us, and those who cared for others whether we know them or not. It is not a noble thing or a religious thing, it is a thing that enriches our souls and brings humility and connects us back with ourselves.
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Thanks for all the greetings from friends who wished me a "Happy Memorial Day". My inbox and my email is flooded with notes and I am still on the road to respond.

I just want to remind that it is a day of remembrance and reflection and not a day of celebration. It is time to pray for those have passed away, whether they are related to us or not.

I will be driving tomorrow and pause and say a prayer at every possible cemetery I see on the way. It is not a noble thing or a religious thing, it is a thing that enriches our souls and brings humility and connects us back with ourselves. The idea of this prayer is to experience becoming a part of the universal energy that our fellow men and women from earth based, Wicca, Pagan and indigenous traditions connect so well. It is also a step in falling all barriers between ourselves and the energy that surrounds us in people and environment.

My Grandfather Hussain advised us kids to visit a cemetery or attend a funeral of a stranger to pay respects, and he added, for every birthday or a wedding you attend, match it with attending a funeral or visiting a cemetery, he believed, it will straighten us out as humans.

Of course, you pray for the beloved ones every day, but this is a special day, the national day of remembrance and it would be nice, if we as a nation pray for the well being of all.

I will take a few moments to remember all those who have influenced, affected and cared for me, and those who cared for others whether I knew them or not. There is a beautiful prayer that most Muslims utter – the gist of which is ; Dear God forgive me, forgive my parents, my relatives, my friends, those who are alive, and those who aren’t, those who believe in you (or not).

My first pause would be for my parents, my late wife, her father, my relatives, friends, and my mentors live as well as those who aren’t – like Moses, Jesus, Krishna, Buddha, Muhammad, Gandhi, MLK, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela and others who are not with us. And those peace makers who are alive among us like Dalai Lama, Rev. Moon, Aga Khan and countless others.

My first physical stop would be a cemetery within a mile from Yasmeen’s house, I sure will pause there and will say the prayer of forgiveness wherever I see a cemetery on my way to Dallas.

The idea of this prayer is to experience becoming a part of the universal energy that our fellow men and women from earth based, pagan and indigenous traditions connect so well. It is also a step in falling all barriers between ourselves and the energy that surrounds us in people and environment.

Firoz Waheed wrote this comment on facebook: Soldiers all over the world, in every nation do a selfless duty in protecting their countrymen and deserve the hihgest respect and honour. Their families and dependents need our attention, love and care.
Their should be a universal Memorial Day for those who "gave their today for our tomorrow".

Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker, writer, optimist and an activist of Pluralism, Justice, Islam, India and Civil Societies. He is a conflict mitigater and a goodwill nurturer offering pluralistic solutions to issues of the day. His work is reflected at 3 websites & 22 Blogs listed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/