I want to talk about us. Humans, I mean. What the hell is wrong with us? Are we not, as a species, somewhat disturbing? We're certainly amusing. At best creative. Heroic, at times. All too seldom, compassionate. On occasion magnificent, but never, ever consistent. With one unpleasant exception. Our penchant for destruction. If we were mice, we'd be considered a plague and someone who, in their own opinion sits higher on the scale of evolutionary importance, would seek out creative ways of reducing our swarming numbers. 'Humanely', of course.

Mind you, given our propensity for violence and the terrifying array of sophisticated weaponry available, we seem increasingly likely to eradicate our foolish selves.

Now, it should be noted here that until very recently - Earth didn't have a state of war, as such. Instead, we had what's fashionably known as a ‘conflict'. Throw in a few foreign incursions, a plethora of border disputes, one internationally recognised crisis, instances of ethnic cleansing, several peace keeping projects, the odd military take-over, a few minor skirmishes and a bit of rock throwing, but no war…..

Of course it's all different now. Suddenly our safe, secure little bubble has well and truly burst. Things are now right out in the open and a stupid sense of religious righteousness on all 'sides' may provide the human cull that the planet probably needs to survive.

At what point do we say - "Enough!" Who do we say it to?

Our political leaders (I use the term 'leaders' loosely) seem to have no real solutions. They, as always, appear to follow their own, at times dubious, agendas and the same can be said for our religious figureheads. Of course the two have always been rather tenuously linked. Religion and politics, money and power. It has forever been thus. History, it seems, teaches nothing and power corrupts. Add to this the idea of 'race', different skin colour, or eye shape and you have a potent recipe for tension. Humans, sadly, seem to have a problem with trust. If a thing is different it should be treated with extreme suspicion, isolated or destroyed completely, lest it invoke some horrible fate upon us.

Fear is an ugly and often used motivator.

So how do we, as individuals, make a difference? It's easy to feel powerless against such seemingly overwhelming odds and this is exactly how the afore mentioned 'powers that be' like us to feel. Our perceived powerlessness consolidates their position and allows them control. They don't want us 'thinking' and they certainly don't want us making a fuss.

Like it or not though, the focus is shifting. This human ‘race' is evolving and we have a significant contribution to make. The signs of change are here and have been, in an obvious way, since the sixties. The various systems of world government are failing. Communism is all but gone. Democracy is pretty shaky. Socialism didn't quite make it. Fanaticism is everywhere and the established monetary systems are at best, fragile and speculative.

It's no body's fault. We absolutely must think in broader, more compassionate terms and we must begin at home. How can we expect world peace, when we continually squabble within our own homes and community? What the hell is road rage, for instance?

Why is it that people, in a peaceful community, need to create such drama? Who is responsible for such an abundance of unresolved anger and aggression? Is it the bastard in the other car? I think not. They are, at worst, an ordinary driver - And there's plenty of them. The reaction is yours and it's always a choice.

Only one person can save the world and it's not Bruce Willis! World peace begins at home. This very instant. It takes courage. There is no value in blame. Each of us must start with ourselves. Now! We are human beings after all?…

Being what?…. Well, that's your choice.

It's also entirely possible that Mother Earth may yet intervene in her own defence. I wish us luck.

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