Life is easy when you live in a bubble, easier still if you try and keep the personal and professional life separate. But in desperate times, we are called upon to be people of wisdom and valor, to step outside the sheltered bubble, to keep informed, to educate ourselves, to get involved, to take a stand, to speak up, and to do the right thing.
It is said that the ability to stay focused is the superpower of today’s workforce. Saturday October 7 was the day I lost this superpower. I feel my heart has been broken into a million pieces, and I find myself drowning in debilitating waves of sadness and despair. No, I am not OK. I am struggling.
I am heartbroken by the horrific acts of the Hamas terrorist group and the ensuing suffering all around on both sides of the fence. I grieve for the injured, kidnapped, dead, and displaced. I mourn the loss of a dream of Palestine coexisting in peace and security with Israel.
Israel faces backlash for cutting off water, food, electricity, and supplies to Gaza and the evacuation order to the south of the Gaza Strip. Be honest, what country will provide supplies to the enemy during wartime, and what alternative is there to fighting and destroying Hamas once and for all?
Fact Check: Israel left Gaza in 2005.
Where did the billions of dollars go?
Hamas used the money to dig 125 miles of sophisticated terror tunnels in Gaza and build up its military arsenal. Hamas is a terrorist organization depriving its own people of a future. The Gaza Strip will be better if Hamas is demolished, as the world has destroyed ISIS, to give the region a chance for peace.
What is Hamas?
Hamas is an Islamic Jihad terror group. Hamas Covenant calls for the “obliteration” of Israel,” See article 13: “no solution for the Palestinian problem except by Jihad.”
What does Hamas do?
Positions military (e.g., HQs, military bases, armories, tunnels, lathes, and bunkers) in proximity to civilian areas and fights from within heavily populated residential areas, often from or near facilities which should be protected according to the Geneva Convention (e.g., schools, hospitals, or mosques). It is a catch-22 situation. As the number of civilian causalities surges, Hamas uses that as a weapon accusing Israel of committing war crimes. But if the IDF limits its use of military power in Gaza, Hamas will continue to terrorize both the Israelis and the Palestinians.
How can we stop Hamas?
The only way forward is to identify the real threat to democracy, human rights, justice, and peace; to be clear on who are the friends of democracy and who are the terrorists. And then to stand up together unequivocally against terrorism.
The fight against terrorists and those who support their immoral actions cannot be done by Israel alone. We need the support of every person who wants peace and security in the world. We have reached the point beyond which the world cannot let terrorist groups and their supporters advance.
Imagine…
I am not a religious person. John Lennon’s words are my prayer for peace:
Imagine there's no countries It isn't hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion, too
Imagine all the people Livin' life in peace
To move from imagination to reality, action is needed. Fight terror. Eliminate Hamas. More countries should follow Germany’s action to ban support of Hamas and terrorist groups and the promotion of terrorist activities and violence.
But this will take time.
In the meantime, we must cultivate resilience and find a way to rise from the ashes.
There aren’t really words for the atrocities committed by Hamas and for the grief of what’s unfolding. To me, it feels like it is too much to hold. There are some moments when the world feels dark and scary. I am trying with all my might to breathe deeply and let hope fill me with the strength to be patient when I am floundering, with courage when I need to be brave, and with resilience to be able to move forward and keep fighting for a better world.
It takes great courage to work our way through emotional pain and suffering, to dig deep and find the inner strength to hold things together when things are falling apart. It is a difficult feat we cannot do perfectly. I know for myself; I can keep busy and carry on with my life, but when I least expect it, grief and anxiety catch up with me. This feeling of emotional overwhelm can feel all-consuming. All of a sudden, tasks I typically complete with ease seem insurmountable. Small things can leave me on the brink of tears. How do you keep your life and career on track when you witness unimaginable violence and brutality? What can you do when a major concern is pushing you to the limit?
The first step is to recognize the emotional toll fear, worry, and stress take on your mental well-being. The second is to prioritize self-care. Then from a place of calm, lay out an action plan with workable steps to get you through each day. Remember that even in our struggles, we can find the strength to power through, to bear the pain and withstand the hardship. And we always have the choice to stay positive believing that this too shall pass, that we shall overcome, and that we will prevail. Resilience means marshalling all available resources to stand up, to cope, and to do all that is needed to make things better, for yourself, others who may be struggling, and in the world. To get through a crisis is to focus on the things within your control. Focus on the choices that are available to you, the way forward instead of your worries. Here’s how:
Write down what you most need right now.
Commit to taking 3 actions that will help you get through this.
Repeat.
A few ideas to consider:
Spend time with people who uplift you. We tend to develop the same level of energy as the people we hang out with. At times when you feel a growing sense of emotional depletion, surround yourself not only with people who love you, but more importantly with people who will help you see the sun where you could only see clouds.
Spend mindful time in nature. Countless studies have shown that spending time outside makes us healthier and happier. Being outdoors breathing fresh air can clear your head and make the tension melt away. So, get out and pay attention to the beauty of the world in a focused and mindful way.
Spend time doing something for the greater good. When it feels like the world is falling apart, find a way to make a difference. You’d be surprised how empowering and stress relieving it is to just do something for the common good, for a cause that you believe in. Every action, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
Resilience is holding it together and working to make things better. Find your inner strength and your supporting tribe to keep fighting for a better tomorrow.
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