War No More
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
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! ❤
LikeLike
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,
LikeLike
Hope this is okay with you Brad – 1.4 million signatures and rising:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/israel_palestine_this_is_how_it_ends_rb/?bRjCvgb&v=42792
Much gratitude and respect for your words above.
Hariod.
LikeLike
Sure Hariod. Thanks for putting action to my idea. I signed and shared. Please consider sharing my post and your link with your social networks. Thanks. Brad
LikeLike
I would Brad, but I’m afraid I don’t have any social networks! 😥
Many thanks for signing.
All best wishes, Hariod.
LikeLike
OK, Hariod. Share in your mind and heart. 🙂
LikeLike
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/
LikeLike
Hi Melanie, No I hadn’t. It sounds like a wonderful example of living peace and tolerance. wonderful. Thanks. 🙂
LikeLike
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”
LikeLike
Exactly, thanks! 🙂
LikeLike
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
LikeLike
Yes Vincent. I starts with each of thus. Thanks for supporting peace and reconciliation.
LikeLike
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 _/|\_
LikeLike
Thanks Lisa. I hope my words in some way contribute to peace, tolerance and understanding. Thanks for caring and sharing your light too. Namaste
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
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!
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
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!! 💞
LikeLike
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,
LikeLike
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
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
The power of words. The power of love. Thanks for sharing this wonderful piece Brad 🙂
LikeLike
You’re welcome Miranda, Yes, words and love have much power. I’m still learning to use them more consciously. 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful Brad and hope the world feels this as well 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Neha. Spread the word and peaceful energy! 🙂
LikeLike
Peace peace peace… Great post…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, thanks, we can all be a center of peace. 🙂
LikeLike
🙂 Yes with compassion and love we can start spreading peace… there is work to be done. We must each take on the job of teaching and working for peace.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Melanie, I guess that’s why we share in the artists 4 peace project! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person