I’m not a political person.
I’m not an expert on international relations.
I’m not a doctor, nurse, or foreign aid worker.
What I am is a human and my heart is breaking.
Halfway across the globe, two wars are raging and thousands of innocent people are being starved, tortured, and killed.
Meanwhile, back in the comforts of suburbia, I’m living my spoiled, privileged life.
I’m entertaining myself with cooking shows while in parts of the Middle East, there is no water to make formula for newborn babies.
I’m complaining about tossing and turning in my memory foam bed because of hot flashes, while in a tiny room across the globe, exhausted families are searching for space on a dirt floor to rest their weary heads.
I’m aching to see my my grown children who live far away from me, while terrified mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters don’t know if they will ever see their kidnapped loved ones again.
I’m feeling helpless and hopeless, and honestly, pathetic.
I’m not strong or young enough to enlist in the armed forces.
I’m not rich or connected enough to finance a refugee camp.
I’m not spiritual enough to believe that my prayers will make any difference in the face of the horrors happening every day across the globe.
But I do care enough to do something.
I am contributing to causes that I believe in like The World Central Kitchen, Doctors Without Borders, and CNN Impact the World. I’m reading everything that I can find to keep up with what is happening, and I’m having conversations with people whose ideas are different than mine to try and understand how in 2023, our world has come to this.
I urge each of you to do the same.
And, I ask one more thing.
Be kind.
Hold the door for the elderly woman struggling with her cane and her mail. Break the awkward silence in the elevator with a smile to a stranger. Help the person on the plane wrestling with their carry-on in the overhead bin.
This part may be the hardest of all.
Listen to a person who challenges you. Whether it is a parent, a student, a co-worker, or a total stranger. Take the time to hear and comprehend the words that they are saying. Walk in their shoes. See the world through their eyes. Try to learn and understand their truth.
I can’t help but wonder if we all did a better job recognizing whoever we are, wherever we live, and whatever god we believe in, we all want the same things in life.
A safe home and community.
A happy and healthy family.
And enough free time to coach our kids on the football team, applaud our budding ballerina at her dance recital, and share a favorite bedtime story with our sleepy toddler.
I wonder if we could realize that we are more the same than we are different, we just might find peace.
Beautifully written, Marji, and with a lovely sentiment! I give to GHIS International High School where Israeli Jews and Israeli Arabs study and live together; because we have to live with our neighbors in peace, and yes, know each other’s truth.
Well-stated Marji. And challenge accepted! While I do try to seek out other people’s perspectives, and try to listen without judgement, I could do better. I will also continue to give to organizations who provide humanitarian aid.