Living in the Shadow of War…and walking the path of peace

Living in this part of the world

which some call Palestine

some call Israel

and many call home

has never been easy. 

Now, more than ever, I can see how easy it is to hold on so tight to what we think is true

to the stories that have defined us for generations

instead of lifting our eyes to the horizon

to see a future that could actually possibly be bright. 

Living in the shadow of war — and walking the path of peace. 

What does it mean to collaborate with someone with whom I disagree?

How can we see beyond our own perspectives to embrace those of others? 

I have noticed

after spending years around the sacred fire

that in those spaces,

we have the capacity to touch the essence

of what we share. 

In the space of sacred ceremony

we have the possibility to reach beyond what separates us from one another

to feel what brings us together.

We all need clean water

We all need a safe home

we all need love.