Blog #156 One More Thing About Strong Immunity/Unity

The more consistent people are in their lives, the stronger they will be.  Unity in intention and in organic function help support strength and endurance.  The saying, “United We Stand, Divided We Fall”, may have originated with the Greek philosopher, Aesop.  He told the story about four zebras and a hungry lion.  The zebras always stayed united in the open plains, where they lived, and quickly resolved any conflicts.  As a result, they cooperated, three of them eating or resting and facing in one direction and one of them facing away from the other three, looking out for the lion.  One day, they did not resolve their disagreements.  All four went to different areas of the plain and ate grass, ignoring the others.  Although each was vigilant, the situation was not as beneficial as their alliance had been.  Eventually, when one zebra’s guard was down, the lion killed it, and soon also killed the rest.  

There is an old Chinese proverb about a father and his four sons.  The boys were always quarreling and he was not able to influence them to make peace.   He decided to demonstrate the hazards of conflict and division with a bundle of sticks, which he tied together with twine.  “When these sticks are grouped together, they are strong.  Try to break them.”  None of the brothers could do so.  Then, he untied the twine and scattered the sticks.  The brothers easily broke these.  “You see,” he said, “all things are much stronger together.   If we are peaceful among ourselves, then we cooperate and work for the common good.  If an enemy approaches, we will be much stronger and more likely to successfully defend ourselves.”  

Famous Americans spoke or wrote those words.  Patrick Henry said, “united we stand, divided we fall” in his last public speech, stressing the importance of all the states working toward the same purpose: to keep the Union strong and independent of British rule.  In the 1850’s, George Pope Morris, a well-known American journalist and poet at the time, wrote a poem containing those six words when the issues of slavery, state vs federal governance, cultural values and economic policies threatened the nation’s stability.  

Unfortunately, serious conflict and lack of internal cooperation are challenging the United States’ strength today.  Not only does conflict harm the government of a country, it harms the populace.  They cooperate less, there is ill-will between them.  This stressful situation can negatively affect people’s peace of mind and even their physical health.  People may resort to addictions for comfort and assurance.  Drugs, alcohol, gambling, pain-killers, internet and excessive food are some of the addictions that can negatively affect people’s lives.

Nations can be weakened and conquered when all parties are not working as a unit toward national survival and integrity, and that division can vibrate within citizen’s minds and bodies and influence their everyday choices.  The stress can interfere with heart function, digestion, sleep, and concentration.  Muscles tense, resulting in pain and diminished mobility and flexibility.  Stress will lead to more mistakes at work, accidents on the road, and other problems.  All these problems can harm the immune system. 

But people are not helpless in the shadow of governmental conflict.  People can vote, write congresspeople, volunteer for organizations that foster cooperation among the populace, create artistic works that carry messages of peace and the desire for mutual understanding and respect.  People make the best, most ethical choices each day.  If they are religious or spiritual, they can live according to divine principals.  And they can learn to stay calmer within more and more of the world’s storms – figuratively and literally.   

So this has been a philosophical, political and spiritual look at immunity and strength.  And as this blog’s offer, feel free to contact me if you want to talk about these issues further.  Wishing all people and nations unity, strength, cooperation and peace.