The Price of War is Priceless

What is the human cost of war?

Humans. Uh duhhh.

I heard a CNN anchor pose this question in passing the TV that everyone’s been glued to during this Russia-Ukraine conflict. I don’t know if it was a quote or if this question was actually being asked, but my reaction was “Is this even a question?” in a bewildered manner.

It was a form of rhetoric to get us, as viewers, thinking.

The cost of war is human life.

Period.

 

There’s no circumlocuting the point. No beating around the bush. There’s no need for the use of rhetoric when it comes to times like these. The evidence is clear. Human lives are at stake.

This topic is not one to be danced around.

It’s become so common. 24/7 surveillance of war. Truly desensitising.

All morality has been lost at this point.

 

When countries choose to fight, when they choose to engage in war as opposed to engage in conflict resolution, they make the choice to endanger human lives. There’s no if’s, and’s or but’s about it. Whether it be the ones who “choose” to put their lives on the line as soldiers, combatants of the state, or whether it be the civilians (the true casualties) who have no say in the matter yet pay the price.

 

We’ve become so used to seeing troubling times in the kingdom (Progressive commercial reference) that we share morbid images without a second thought, hoping that we’re sharing potent information and shedding light on the situation, trying to help (or show others that we have a moral conscience and that we care). We stay tuned into the drama casted via news media to know more, to care more.

 

I argue that we care less and demoralise ourselves by this means.

 

Of course, stay up to date with current events. But must the television glare the shocking images (whose shock level decreases day by day) every second of the day? Must we hang onto every word the newscaster says? Must we share every post of horror we see?

“Well, what can we do to help?” is the question on everyone’s lips. Well, I truly have no answer for you. We’re not sat up in high chairs of policy and rule. Until we are, I say there is nothing for us to do but remain humane. Stop feeding into the inhumanity that is war by not engaging with the posts, the media, and the people who wish to share all their gory insights.

It may seem unempathetic of me or that I lack sensitivity for me to ask you all to not look at the world and see the injustice and not feel an inner, innate, core feeling to change the world. We all, as humans, carry that need to make the world a better place. To come together in harmony. To have ultimate unity.

I’m asking the exact opposite, in fact. Tap into the innate peace-loving humanity and engage with it in your homes: yourself, your household, your community, and your country.

We cannot save all the lives by post-liking, post-sharing, and saying “Look at what they’re doing over there!”

What are you doing over here?

 

Are you at war with another sister or brother?

Are you loving wholeheartedly?

Are you at peace with yourself?

 

What we’re seeing now with the Russia-Ukraine conflict is injustice blown up to 100% zoom. But it started with 1 seedling of hate. It blossomed into a whole fruit of disunity. A fruit that pits one against the other and only drives each other further and further apart. A fruit that says no to any love, peace or joy that tries to poke its head out.

 

So, what I’m actually asking you to do is become sensitive again. Drive and hone into that empathy because right now there is mere sympathy. “Oh I’m so sorry this is happening to them.” Empathy demands one human to feel what another human feels, not pity them.

 

The human cost of war is inhumanity at its finest because the cost is priceless. The cost is human life. Anyone one of you or me. Seeking refuge from our home in another man’s land. Afraid. Injured. Dead. Gone. 

Would you want that broadcasted for the world to see? For everyone to see you at your weakest point? Fighting for survival?

Think of your lowest moment. Your rock-bottom. And imagine a news anchor divulging it across all platforms on the world’s stage.

 

So, I propose a new standard:

Let’s start within. 

• Is there a war within? No? Good, move on.
• Is there disharmony within your family? No? Good, move on.
• In your friend group? No? Good, move on.
• In your community? No? Good, move on.
• In your country? No? Good, move on.
• In the globe?

I don’t think any human has quite figured out how to be Superman and save the entire world. On their own, at least.

Instead, sow a seed of love in your world today.

And if you have a strong desire to change the entire world, keep at it.

We need less money-hungry, power-starved, control-dictated leaders who put their citizens at risk instead of putting them first.

We need more ethical visionaries with unconditional love at the core of their very being.

Those who remember what it is to be human.

Remember, we are but one drop in the ocean, but just one drop changes the composition of the entire ocean.

I leave you with this quote:

“I cannot do all the good that the world needs. But the world needs all the good that I can do.” – Jane Stanfield