Hope Lives in Dark Times by Robyn Walters

While sitting at my desk, I point the remote at the television, and change channels to the evening news. The anchor’s urgent voice and pleading face flashes on the screen reporting the tragedy unfolding in Sutherland Springs, Texas. My article’s subject changed in an instant.

I close my eyes, lean back in my chair and feel the weight of grief on my chest. Another day of killing in America. Twenty-six dead. Families and communities forever changed. Law enforcement working diligently, again, to make sense of the carnage.

Please Great Spirit, God, Universal presence, please stop the hate and end the violence. Not one more, not another day. My prayer is unlimited and all inclusive. It is about the intention each one of us sets in our heart and soul to heal what ails us, our communities, our country, our world. I rest my forehead on the palms of my hands and take a deep breath.

How unrealistic am I?

Our people and communities don’t have time to grieve the last deaths reported, before another one occurs. Eight in New York, fifty-eight in Las Vegas, and dozens more across the country just in the last few weeks. I am disturbed at the thought that this type of activity seems to be becoming normal. Let that never be accepted. 

I reflect on the title of my first novel, Seeds of Hate, and I imagine there are a lot of us scratching our heads, holding our hands to our hearts and wondering how we ever got this far. Are we all drawing a collective breath waiting for the next grand act of violence?

My thoughts shift to the definition of words, their power and how to begin processing, again, what type of person can commit such acts. 

Hater.

This one word alone roils to the surface others that fuel the fiery topics people hate: race, ethnicity, poverty, wealth, politics, government, religion, health care, financial institutions, celebrity, other people – that’s the short list. 

A good speller growing up, I often read the dictionary to learn new words, loved word games and puzzles, reading and writing. Since the English language first appeared some 1,500 years ago, my curiosity about the history of the word “hater” peaked. First shown to exist around 1350, I bet the founders of our language would be surprised as to how that word applies to our society today.

The inspiration for my main character in Seeds of Hate, Wilhelm Kastner, departed this earth nearly a decade ago. I’m grateful he does not have to navigate these times. He would struggle to understand. When he was born, hate came with mother’s milk. His chance for survival slim, he faced the odds as a hardened soldier. Then, as a young immigrant, Wilhelm experienced America at its best. His journey from hater to redemption, love and justice must be told, so others can learn from his experience.

I’m not watching much television these days. I press my hands over my ears, yet my eyes are wide open to the noise and images manifested by a disgruntled society, natural and manmade disasters, and a world that seems hell bent on perpetuating hate, rather than spreading peace.

Once known and highly regarded as a land of opportunity, America appears as a shadow of its former self. If media and social media provided the only lenses I use to view the world, it would appear that hate oozes from every darkened corner like a toxic sludge seeping across the landscape, permeating our homes. In some cases, hate poisons the minds of people to the point they commit shocking acts of violence against innocents. The increasing frequency of these events is alarming. 

If Wilhelm lived today, he would be disheartened. Wilhelm grew to believe in the good of all people. He would hope that his story would inspire those who read it to do better and be better - to come from a place of less judgement and a more compassionate heart. 

Seeing the irony in the title and purpose of my book makes me smile. The conscious choice of peace and love over hate and fear can be a tough one, given what we are bombarded with.

My thoughts drift to nature versus nurture. In the course of Wilhelm’s life, his true nature had to dig out from the depths of an almost unfathomable nurture to find the way. I imagine that an underlying faith, buried under the dark teachings of his youth, somehow kept his soul warmed during the days hope did not exist.

These are very challenging times. As a society, we have come so far, yet our forward momentum is tested each day. Finding the good and staying positive is more important than ever. Seek out the relationships that lift you up and feed your soul. Let happiness live in the core of who you are.

With this in mind, I start a new day setting my intention to the highest and greatest good. Let all my thoughts, actions and reactions come from this space. Hope exists that good will come from what we are experiencing now. To disbelieve is not an option. To see is the reward.

Peace.

PRAISE FOR SEEDS OF HATE

“…a well written and compelling story of courage, survival, reliance, and of not betraying your principles or who you are.” ~C. Grau, READNOW Early Reader Reviewer

“If you’re a sucker for legal fiction, like me, then I recommend this book, hands down!” ~Liz’s Review, READNOW Early Reader Reviewer

ABOUT SEEDS OF HATE

Growing up in Nazi Germany, Wilhelm Kastner knew two things by the age of six: conform or die. To survive, he becomes one of Hitler’s prized acolytes.

When the war finally ends, Wilhelm sheds the training of his youth to pursue the American dream and build a future. Happily married with two children, life is good in Sunnybrook—until an incident at a school forces him to confront the demons of his past.

Now Wilhelm must fight to survive all over again—or lose his life trying.

AVAILABLE FORMATS

Available in hardcover, trade softcover, and ebook at fine retailers everywhere, including Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-a- Million, iTunes, Kobo, plus many more. Coming soon to audio!

Visit the publisher’s website for more information and purchasing options.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Born to war-survivor parents, Robyn Walters was raised on the southern-most beaches of California. Robyn’s inspiration is drawn from ordinary people who provide extraordinary stories of triumph over tragedy. Newly retired from a life-long career in public service, Robyn writes to her heart’s content in western Colorado.