Lebanon, My One & Only…
There is no bitter feeling worse than not being able to live & enjoy the beauty of ones country, especially if it is as glamorous and enchanted as mine. Not being able to flourish, and grow in ones own country is a feeling I wish upon no one, especially if it is not by choice, but by force. I am and always will be a proud Lebanese, who grew up miles and miles away from her beloved homeland.
Why? That is a question I have been pondering ever since I can remember, and the answer I come up with each and every time is the same, ignorance.
Ignorance from the civilians to know any better, ignorance from the politicians to be able to make things work, ignorance from the world to be able to solve such a simple, yet never ending problem. I will not bore you with our diverse political parties and their never ending useless points of view, I will just encourage you to try as hard as you can not to fall in the bottomless hole we have so willingly fallen into, I will just encourage you to never give up on your country, to never give up on your rights to live freely in the place you were meant to be. I will just encourage you to fight for what is yours, now and for always.
Respectfully,
Sara Nader
LEBANESE & PROUD
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I can relate to that.
Everyone thinks he’s right. And some of us are so convinced that we’re even willing to fight to the death for what we believe. And with all that conviction, sincere as it may be, we keep digging ourselves in, and making that bottomless hole deeper and deeper, because in the final analysis, if everyone is right, then no one is right.
So what’s the answer? Don’t be so sure of your beliefs. Don’t be so quick to jump to your belief, because what you believe may not be as true as you first thought. Have the courage to filter your beliefs through the filter of common sense. Don’t take your preconceived beliefs and try to justify them rationally. Instead, use rationality to come to your beliefs in the first place. And whatever doesn’t make sense, have the sense to let it go.
I can relate to your frustration. The world seems to present us with injustice as a fait accompli. And if we don’t get our heads straight, it will only get worse.
I think I have a framework for a possible solution, which you could see at http://www.sellingavisionofhope.org You could click on the Hamsa and get a five minute summary. I am working on finding a way out of the pit that many of us find oursleves in. See what you think.
Thank you for suggesting such an interesting & relevant website! I read through a few of the articles in it, and i believe, no i know, that they are well thought off, and true possible solutions, to the distress most of this world is facing..again thank you, for adding a light to what i think should be done.:)
I will keep you posted, Sara. I am working on a PR/Marketing campaign, based on Selling a Vision of Hope, which could be useful to some companies that are ready to invest some serious dollars in the Middle East. GE, for example, is about to invest 8 Billion dollars in Abu Dhabi, into a fund that will soon become 40 billion dollars. The investments will create green technology jobs, jobs which can help protect the environment, and jobs which can help to neutralize the hold of extremist thinking.
Most of these companies just want to make money, which is what companies do. I want to convince them that they can make even more money, by making a difference as well.
Hi Sara
You have a beautiful country. What other country is there in our little Middle East which doesn’t have problems? We all have it one way or another
You can feel like an embassador of your countries beauties and softness to the world
I hope all the best and the best things which might be ahead and waiting.
I love those ancient and gentle Sedars of Lebanon. Once i wrote this Persian verse about them and i do it once more for you, a verse with love from a woman from one of many others countries in the Middle East who are hopeful about a better future
Farsi : ” benazam hemmate por shakh o barge aan derakhti ra
ke sayeh az sare hizom shekan ham bar nemigirad ”
translation : I cherrish the shade of the tree full of branches and leaves
That would not deny its shade even from the woodcutter”
Wishing for a more pacific Middle East, where people live and cheer and pray.
Viva Lebanon
Elinor I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all these beautiful and passionate words.
This is such a true phrase, but it is all our fault, the people, we might not be rich or powerful enough to stop these problems, but we are definitely more strong willed, and determined to make a change, so we should!
and what you said about the Cedars is one of the most beautiful things i have heard said about those precious trees of life. Again i thank you deeply for this touching comment
Viva la Middle East:)
We all have our own separate Beliefs, founded in various religions, because we are individuals. It only makes sense that a situation such as this would produce various ways to praise OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, the Creator. I think my Beliefs are correct as much as you do yours.
“Everyone thinks he’s right. And some of us are so convinced that we’re even willing to fight to the death for what we believe. And with all that conviction, sincere as it may be, we keep digging ourselves in, and making that [hole] deeper and deeper, because in the final analysis, if everyone is right, then no one is right.
So what’s the answer? Don’t be so sure of your beliefs. Don’t be so quick to jump to your belief, because what you believe may not be as true as you first thought. Have the courage to filter your beliefs through the filter of common sense. Don’t take your preconceived beliefs and try to justify them rationally. Instead, use rationality to come to your beliefs . . . And whatever doesn’t make sense, have the sense to let it go. . . And if we don’t get our heads straight, it will only get worse.” -Nissim Dahan
I do not want to force anyone to believe as I do. Then it would not be your will, it would be my will. I accept Jesus Christ as my Savior. You may not. Whether you choose to believe or not is your decision, not mine. I have put my ’Beliefs’ through the ’Filter of Common Sense.’ Have You? We all are not going to have the same convictions, the same religion, or even the same beliefs about a common religion. Wanting to kill someone because they do not believe as I do, on anything, is not good. I should have the patience and tolerance to accept the fact we do not agree. Common sense.
Furthermore, there are bad elements in every religion, culture, and nation. I can not say one religion, culture, or nation is bad because of some and not all. Thus, not all Muslims are bad when a few do wrong; not all Christians are bad when a few do wrong; not all Middle-Easterners are bad when a few do wrong; not all Americans are bad when a few do wrong; etcetera. Plus I can not blame the people for what their government does. We all, worldwide, have bad politicians, bad bureaucrats, and bad military leaders. And the same is true as before. All are not to be blamed for the actions of some. Common sense.
So what is the answer? I personally agree we must stop ‘Extremism.’ Such things as killing, fighting to the death, and forcing your will upon others are extreme. I also personally agree with the ‘Golden Rule’ which should be common sense:
“Do unto others as you would have done unto you.” -Jesus Christ
We all will not agree on everything; we must accept that situation. So let people decide for themselves what is currently best for themselves. If someone wants to do something that does not affect you, then let them do it. You may not agree with what they are doing , but let them. OUR HEAVENY FATHER obviously does not want to control us. I believe we must follow that example. Do not force your will on someone else. If their actions will not affect you, then let them. Not advocating hedonism, let their will decide what is best for them. Common sense.
I’m not forcing my will on you. Why are you forcing your’s on me? May OUR HEAVENLY FATHER’s Will Be Done.