Today was a day of reflection. It was an inspiring day of connection, family, friends, and thoughts about peace in an increasingly tumultuous and violent world. It is clear that the task at hand can not be accomplished alone. It is clear that it will take a combined effort of friendship and community. What if we all take a pledge to purposefully be kinder to ourselves and others, to let go and forgive more readily, to have more compassion when faced with dissent, and to think about how we can bring peace to our little portion of the world through the actions that we take with one another? The task of peace is certainly a lofty one. It can seem overwhelming and impossible, especially with the grand scale of hatred and intolerance that we are witnessing across the globe on a daily basis. But, in our own small way, can we each make an effort to make the world a kinder, more peaceful place to live? Can we speak out against hatred and agree to work on being accepting of the differences among us? Because if we don’t, who will? And if we do, what a difference could we make?
“If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, then what am ‘I’? And if not now, when?” -Hillel the Elder
Be happy and well,
Sari Roth-Roemer, Ph.D.