Summary
What does a flag really mean? Belonging or division? A personal story about human equality, empathy, and the freedom to dream.
Does something often disturb your peace?
It rarely happens to me these days.
I think that when something happens less often, it brings up greater feelings.
Two or three weeks ago I saw a picture on Facebook. A Hungarian man was proudly holding a Hungarian flag. Not the official flag of the Republic of Hungary, but some older flag. I apologize right now that I have no idea what kind of flag it was!
For some reason, this flag, this picture, disturbed my peace.
That’s what I’m writing about now.
What is a flag?
The flag is a symbol of belonging.
It means that we are one, because we march under one flag. It is difficult to find anything bitter in this simple sentence. But the feeling immediately takes on a different flavor if we continue the definition of the flag. The flag also means that whoever does not march under our flag is different. This does not necessarily mean that they are enemies. But – I think – in most cases it does mean that.
Why do we need to make a distinction so much?
This question has occupied me all my life, it has always touched me. However, today it is more deeply affecting me…
I think the reason for this may be the empathy inherent in me. For some reason, I often feel that there is a person behind every action. Of course, ego and especially arrogance have often led, are leading and will lead me astray from this recognition. But today I consciously strive to make this happen as rarely as possible.
We are brothers
In recent months, the idea that we are all one has been discussed countless times around me in one way or another.
Just think about how many people have called me “bro.” Some didn’t use the abbreviation. Or, for example, how many of us have called each other “friend,” simply because we are completely open to each other.
How many encounters have I had recently where the handshake of introduction was followed by a firm and very warm hug. Not every introduction is like that, of course, but the first goodbye almost certainly ends with a hug. Sometimes we even repeat it.
How many conversations have you had recently that “we are all brothers and sisters.”
How good it is that for months now, exclusion, judgment, and even the thought of any kind of discrimination have been avoided!
In this environment and the peace I have been living in for the past many months, I think it is completely understandable that the waving of a flag creates waves in my soul.
Maybe this isn’t about the flag, it’s about me.
In Thailand and here, in Indonesia, I see a lot of flags. Much more than I usually see in Hungary. Except of course on our important holidays, because then one of the flags is on every light pole.
Here, the prominent symbol of the nations is truly part of everyday life. I have taken many photos of flags in recent months. Because for some reason here they whisper to me that this country is proud to exist, but at the same time it does not exclude me either. This feeling has been confirmed by locals several times in conversations with them.
In Hungary, I often felt that a “real Hungarian” puts a flag on his house, and someone who does not is not “real”. Unfortunately, I left my homeland with the feeling in my heart that even the flag divides us.
I may be wrong and have misinterpreted my feelings about home. Unfortunately, however, the conversations I have had with my Hungarian friends in the past months have not dispelled this unpleasant feeling.
Imagine…
I may be a dreamer, but right now I’m dreaming that you’ll press the play button and continue reading while listening to the well-known song.
Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one
Buy me a coffee?
If you enjoyed this story, you can buy me a coffee. You don’t have to – but it means a lot and I always turn it into a new adventure.
Buy a coffee for Steve
Linktree
Short introduction