“You and me
We’ll all go down in history
With a sad statue of liberty
And a generation that didn’t agree.”
System of a Down

One band I like is System of a Down, sort of rock and heavy metal. “Sort of” because I don’t know the exact definitions of music types. They are American with Armenian roots which sometimes reflects in their music. Some of their lyrics are political and very inspirational and sometimes it’s just plain gobbledegook, so its a fun and interesting mix!

Well some of the lyrics that inspired me were the ones quoted above. In fact these lyrics almost brought me to tears, especially the “with a sad statue of liberty” which suprises me in one way because I’m English not American. Obviously she stands for more than just American Liberty which is a nice place for tourists to visit.

I don’t think this HUGE statue can only be a tourist attraction where you buy “cute” souveniers, she does actually mean something. And guess what that is; LIBERTY! And I think that means she’s not only American, she can represent this same principle for any nation. She wasn’t built just for tourism or for being “sad”, she means something and if we don’t recognise that, then that’s tragic.

I want a statue that knows what it stands for, something that’s fulfilling it’s real purpose. I may not be american but the Statue of Liberty evokes feelings in me, perhaps, like any american. I want her to stand proud for something that’s real, for what she is and not just be reduced to just another tourist visit, it should be a place of pilgrimage.

Even this Armenian band feels something for an American thing, and so can everyone because liberty and freedom don’t only belong to Americans. One day, these lyrics of warning I believe can be changed, should be changed, even will be changed to;

“You and me,
We’ll all go down in history
With a strong Statue of Liberty
And all generations living free!”

I really hope that’s true and today it begins in my heart where I shall build my own statue of liberty.

“Human beings were created to contemplate and reflect the universe. They are not themselves this great perfection, but are particles of perfection.” Gicero

“God is your mirror in which you contemplate yourself and you are His mirror in which He contemplates His divine attributes.” Ibn Arabi

“Through us, Gaia has seen herself from space, and begins to know her place in the universe.” James Lovelock

I thought I’d be explaining this concept but this time it’s come to me through a poem;

The Mind of Gaia

Gaia could see,
She could hear,
And smell, taste and touch
The creation of Herself.

Gaia created and created,
But none of Her creation She knew,
For She had no mind
With which to know Herself
Or the creation of Herself.

But then Gaia awoke,
As from sleep.
Her mind was born,
One like a shining mirror
For Her to reflect on Herself
And know Herself.

This mind wondered at the mystery it saw.
It created arts to express it wonder,
Sciences to explain its wonder
And religions to experience its wonder.

This mind called itself humanity,
For we humans are the infant mind of Gaia,
Still developing and evolving,
Still learning what it is
To be the mind of Gaia,
Still struggling to find a balance
With the power of this gift.

Great Gaia,
Through my mind know yourself,
Your wonder and mystery,
As it unfolds.
And also teach me to live with you
Not merely in you,
To know and respect
That I am a part of you
So that we may evolve together,
In harmony.