Famous quotes about war can touch us deeply and in different ways. Roosevelt’s famous words, “… a date which will live in infamy,” must have brought fear to my parents when they first heard it in 1941—they knew it meant my father would soon be going to war. Years later, hearing those words may have stirred difficult memories of my father’s four long years overseas in the US Army. When I hear or read those words of President Roosevelt, I think of the resolve and courage of our nation as it faced a frightening future.

Recently I read words spoken by President Eisenhower after WWII had ended. Before he was President of the US from 1953-1961, Eisenhower was the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe. As a five-star General, he was in charge of two critical military campaigns, namely Operation Torch in North Africa in 1942-1943 and the invasion of Normandy in 1944. He said:

"War is a grim, cruel business, a business justified only as a means of sustaining the forces of good against those of evil." 9/11/45

"I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity." 1/10/46

"War is mankind's most tragic and stupid folly; to seek or advise its deliberate provocation is a black crime against all men. Though you follow the trade of the warrior, you do so in the spirit of Washington -- not of Genghis Khan. For Americans, only threat to our way of life justifies resort to conflict." 6/3/47

"Possibly my hatred of war blinds me so that I cannot comprehend the arguments they adduce. But, in my opinion, there is no such thing as a preventive war. Although this suggestion is repeatedly made, none has yet explained how war prevents war. Worse than this, no one has been able to explain away the fact that war creates the conditions that beget war." 10/19/50

These quotes stir up many questions in my mind when I think about the two wars that are raging today.

I wonder what a committed pacifist thinks about the war in Ukraine. After being invaded, what should have Ukrainian and world leaders have done? What options did they have? The war between Israel and Hamas makes me ask and ponder how this current war could possibly lead to peace in the Middle East. Won’t it only stir more hatred and reprisals? What are the alternatives?

As someone who has never studied military science or the morality of war, I offer no answers or conclusions except for one. All of us, leaders included, could help ourselves and our world by holding and reflecting at length on these difficult questions in the “space” in our minds that Viktor Frankel described:

“Between stimulus and response there is a space.

In that space is our power to choose our response.

In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”

Let us all pause and remember to utilize the “space” Frankel describes. In this way, we can find “growth and our freedom” as we take thoughtful steps to cultivate peace and justice in our world.

SUGGESTION

1. Treasure your favorite quotes and save them in a file or journal so you can appreciate them again and again.

2. Remember the “space” in your mind that Frankel speaks of and use it to balance opposing thoughts and views before you speak or act. Add to this a study of history and you’d be a powerful force for good!

3. Let us pray for the victims of war, for the soliders trying to do the right thing, and for all leaders that they make fully informed and wise decisions.

eXTRA

Coming Soon! Engaging With a Messy World

Working with Susan Riggs, an integral coach and my good friend, I am thrilled to offer you a 10-part video series.

Susan developed this program and was kind enough to collaborate with me to make it freely available to you. We are convinced the information in each 20-minute episode can help you survive, thrive, and even bring healing to what many are calling our “world on fire.” During February, subscribers will receive the first session via email. The series will be available on YouTube—details coming soon!

Dr. Donna Chacko promotes health of body, mind, and spirit through her website (serenityandhealth.com), her blog, her podcast/vlog series Pop-Up Conversations on Health of Mind, Body, and Spirit, and programs at her church. She is the author of Pilgrimage: A Doctor’s Healing Journey (Luminare Press, 2021), a recent best-seller on Amazon, 2022 Illumination Awards Gold Medal Winner, 2022 Reader Views Literary Award Gold Medal Winner, and 2022 Catholic Media Association First Place Awards.