Many of you know that I am an avid fan of chess. I find that chess and life carry many similarities with each other. Like chess, life has an opening, middle game, and end game. Life, like chess, harbors opportunities for strategic thought and evaluation. These decisions are made on a daily basis. They can either propel us forward toward advancement to improve our position or set us back due to bad judgement. As I watch the world unfold in its military posture toward its neighbors, I am saddened to see our allies and adversaries place their pieces in harm's path. I am discouraged as our positions are fortified ever further out of fear. I am disheartened to read that we are using our evolving technology as weapons instead of advancing our civilization. I believe that we as a human civilization are at a crossroad of strategic thought (end game). One road leads us to find a collective answer to the malice that seems to overshadow the world right now, and the other road leads us down a path of which there will be no return. There is still hope. I truly believe that we still have the ability to set aside our pride for a moment and look each other in the eyes and see good will. There is still good will in this world. Whoever is reading this, know that darkness however vast will never blot away the light. Fear will never cast out the hope of Good will. Uncertainty will never smear the clarity of Confidence. As long as Hope resides, we can shake our opponent's hand, and say "Good game".