Many mothers and fathers can remember a time when one of their children opened a door of understanding for them.
Fifteen years ago, my son Isaac did me that service. A budding saxophonist, he is now studying jazz at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. But back in 1993, he was just a little boy, explaining how he coped with changes in life.
"Everything is weird until you get used to it," he told me. Immediately, I knew what he meant. Today's change is tomorrow's standard operating procedure. Weirdness is to be expected. But it won't last.
Why is this relevant?
Because change is essential to save our planet. And we need to get over our resistance to the "weirdness" of doing things differently.
Nuclear weapons are that ugly problem that few people want to discuss. Most of us know these weapons are intended to destroy cities and kill ordinary people and their families. We know nuclear weapons are a disaster waiting to happen -- whether through aggression or simply because of human error. Yet, we turn our attention elsewhere.
Isaac's wisdom can help us here. We may feel strange telling the president what we want him or her to do. But once we get started, the weirdness will disappear and we can concentrate on the inspiring goal of making the world safer for our children and grandchildren.
Here's a way to start. The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation is gathering the support of one million people for a national Appeal calling for US Leadership for a Nuclear Weapons-Free World. We will give the million-strong Appeal to the next US President on Inauguration Day 2009.
Walter Cronkite, Daniel Ellsberg, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Susan Sarandon, Mary Travers, Noel (Paul) Stookey and Ben Cohen (founder of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream) are with us. Can we count on your support as well? Just go to www.wagingpeace.org and sign on.
To change the world, we must change our own lives. We must change our behavior. And doing that can feel weird.
Until we get used to it, of course. Then, it will just feel good. Very good indeed.