War No More

/ July 24, 2014

War No MoreWar No More, Peace, poetry

Arabs fear Jews

Jews hate Arabs

the madness of hate

compounded by fear

injustice, media, politics and ego

is this true or mass hysteria

loving hearts want to know

why must we hate our neighbor

a lone voice speaks out

my mother is Palestinian and my father a Jew

how can I take sides

a Jewish girls talks to a Palestine boy

a new conversation starts

of shared loves, dreams, hopes and fears

and so it begins

a day of reconciliation

~

My heart goes out to the people of Gaza, Israel and Palestine. Politicians, war mongers and the media have painted an ugly mural, but the people are starting to take back their lives and create a new story. Social media is being used for love rather than hate. Kind-hearted people are bringing conversation, understanding and compassion to the situation. One such group is #JewsandArabsRefuseToBeEnemies. You can watch their video below.

Additionally, there are an amazing variety of peace initiatives for the Middle East.

Let’s feed the love, sending our prayers for peace, compassion and reconciliation. Please consider sharing your time, love, resources or inspiration. Blessings, Brad

 

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33 thoughts on “War No More”

  1. Beautiful Brad!!! I love this post! Yes…social media can be used to spread GOOD things ..love…connection…we are one with our neighbors…near and far. I get so tired of the daily news spreading nothing but war, murder, catastrophic events, and humans displaying unethical traits. That is what people see on TV and they get bogged down in that energy!! We need more news spread on humans being caring and compassionate, performing beautiful acts of kindness….helping our fellow travelers! Bravo to you Brad for this awesome post!! Much love & peace to you! ❤

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    • Thank you Lorrie. I agree and that is why I don’t watch mainstream media. And why I blog, write and use social media to spread “Good News” which was my original blog series name. We each can help by what stories we tell, write and share. Hopefully, you and others will share news of this group and/ or my post in your circles. 🙂 peace, love and blessings,

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  3. very impressive and emotional, but reality on the very spot is completely different and sad… 😦
    * * *
    Have you heard of this Moroccan place?…
    N.B. Essaouira is an exceptional example of pacific coexistence between different religious and ethnic groups: Muslims, Jews, Christians, considered to be a true haven of peace, a testament to complete, absolute tolerance. It is also a town where a large number of artists – painters, musicians, writers live because they feel it’s the perfect spot to create…
    http://myvirtualplayground.wordpress.com/2014/07/23/essaouira-perle-bleue-de-latlantique-et-ville-du-vent/

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  4. Amazing one person at a time and eventually the world will see sense. Like Gandhi said ‘be the change you want to see in the world”

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  5. Yes let’s do what we can to help these people from their differences. It’s been going thousands of years, yet we can hope it’s still possible for peace. That may come one couple at a time.
    Vincent

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  6. It is a beautiful and courageous act to spread tolerance, understanding and kindness. Your work is a bright light so please let it shine on and on and on. Light and love to you Brad. Namaste _/|\_

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  8. Your call for peace is commendable and the links you provided of groups promoting peace and tolerance give hope.

    Your poem is beautiful but I’m not very comfortable with the first two lines: it paints Jews as haters and Arabs as the ones who only fear Jews. The fact is that Arabs also hate Jews and Jews also fear Arabs, or to be precise, Jews fear and hate Hamas, because Hamas has pledged to wipe Israel from the map and keeps firing rockets at Israel from Gaza.

    Peace-loving Arabs and Jews do not hate each other. Let’s hope they prevail.

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    • Hi Irina,
      Thank you for your caring and thoughtful response. I meant no harm or stereotyping of Jews or Arabs. I was simply using an example of the fearful or hateful positions that we get locked into. Both sides have contributed and I pray that both sides may find room for compassion, conversation and healing.

      Yes, I too hope that peace prevails.

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  9. Love, love this poem. And the connections we have to each other transcend the arbitrary lines mankind has drawn. If only we could just realize this. 🙂
    I hope your day is swell!

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  10. I agree Cynthia. Though challenging, I’m heartened by all the groups and people working for peace. As you mentioned, it takes connections, built with compassion, conversation and kindness. Thank you.

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  11. I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this! Humanity…we are truly one, connected by loving hearts who desire peace and harmony and fairness and goodness. WHY is this so hard? Beautifully presented, Brad!! 💞

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  12. Thanks Shauna, I’m honored by your passionate response. I long for the day we learn to live as one world family, including nature. 🙂 And I can’t begin to imagine how hard it would be to live in such a challenging environment as Gaza. to peace,

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  13. I think, Brad, as we look deeply, we find we are all a mix of all the “sides” in all of these difficult exchanges that are enacted. I have a hard time doing anything but offering Love in my heart as I admit to a distrust of the media’s “use” of events. I hardly know what’s going on when two people I love have a falling out, nevermind dissecting events remote from my daily awareness. I think people all over are becoming a living prayer for peace and tolerance, and that is a beautiful, powerful dynamic.

    Michael

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    • Well stated Michael. We probably don’t know what’s going on, and I certainly don’t know what is best for the people of the middle east or even my friends. Love is a much better offering than advice.My poem was simply a heart response to my sadness for deaths and continued conflicts. I love your phrase “becoming a living prayer for peace:” Thanks for your thoughtful perspective.

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  14. Thanks, Brad, for your poem and the positive vibrations you put into the world. I lurch between feeling quite affected by this newest war, and wanting to pull away far from it and not even think about it. This fight has been going on for so long and no-one seems to have an answer, and one can’t help feeling that either these two tribes of people are both wrong, or maybe they’re both right. Or both. Either way, it just always feels so impossible.
    At the bottom of it all, we humans share much the same basic needs. Food is essential, but so is safety and security. So is the need to have a safe homeland.
    I get upset that this war is still ongoing, and that children in particular are being killed. But some days I feel quite hopeless, and on those days, all I’m left with is the knowledge that I’m entering a conversation that began long before I was born and will continue long after I’m dead. (To paraphrase some wise person.)

    I think I’ll go to bed now. And I will thank God that I’ve got a bed, in a safe neighborhood, in a safe country I can call my own. And that my loved ones are safe and well. And maybe tomorrow I will rethink this and become more hopeful for Israelis and Palestinians. But right now, I think I’ll go to my bed.

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  15. I understand your feelings and response Cynthia. I have felt many of the same frustrations, but gradually disengaged from most world news and events. I’m not sure that I can impact the situation, other than to send loving energies, sign petitions and live my life in a peaceful way. Maybe the best we can do is impact what is in front of us; our homes, families, jobs and communities. And yes, most of us in the developed world are very blessed with our standard of living. Thanks for caring. Good night my friend.

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