We talk about America as being the most charitable nation in the world - and I believe it. I am proud of that fact. But I don't think money and supplies build bonds between nations. Material things don't promote peace or show sympathy and affection. People do.
For the greater part of history plane tickets, travel documents, hotel costs and patriotism have done a pretty good job of isolating men into individual countries - something we are all comfortable and familiar with. Because of inconveniences, we don't allow ourselves to really get to know individuals all over the world. We've been concerned with only our neighbors and communities because that is what's convenient.
I say it's time we got past the inconveniences - technology has made it possible. For years, governments have been the only institutions capable of communicating on a large scale and coordinating efforts to send soldiers over seas to wage war. Let's coordinate a greater effort. I am going to set a personal goal, and invite all of my readers to set the same goal.
Before the end of February I am going to extend a digital hand of friendship to someone overseas and who is preferably caught in the middle of the war we are waging. Maybe you say my individual efforts to promote friendship and brotherhood on a global scale won't make a difference. Maybe it won't to you - but it will to me. Who knows? Maybe if more people tried to befriend the world, it WOULD make a difference.
