This iReport is part of an assignment:
Israel-Gaza conflict: Your stories
“I Feel Israel”
I remember when 9/11 occurred like it was yesterday and I also remember something very real that hit me physically. I was trying to understand how something occurring a few states away from me was impacting my day……my movement……my awareness……and feeding concerns I had never had before. Today that same “REAL” feeling is coming from many miles away as Israel is going through some pretty big stuff. I am a Jew and proud of it and truly feeling the effects of what I hear….what I watch…..and what I want to protect. However, I live in the US and can only watch from a far. This article is intended to not convince anyone of anything, but that we all should want some form of peace and do we really have to pay a price to get there?
I have never been to Israel, however I often felt like the home I grew up in had parts of Israel and its spirituality embedded in the walls of our house. My father was quite religious, but never outwardly imposed his beliefs on anyone. He just liked nice people and made religion something personal. Essentially he followed the golden rule and just treated those around him with respect and compassion at all times. He had no tolerance for haters….bigotry……..and people who did not embrace other cultures or religions. I tend to wrap my arms around and hug all nice people and not worry about much that goes passed that. Everyone is entitled to some set of beliefs; however hatred in the present should not be dictated by the past. Honest, that is my firm belief, however I know most would never agree with that. I struggle with building a division based on the past and not judging the present. Perhaps past history outweighs all of my thoughts and I need to learn more about history. I admit I am not up to snuff on a ton of history, but I tend to judge stuff based on the present and not past history. It seems to me that it would be unfair to judge a race…..religion…culture purely on something that was done many years ago. However, I do validate others feelings regardless of my own.
Today I feel the struggle…the concerns…..and smell the smoke from a distance. I am not fearful, but I am pushing my energy to the strength of Israel…..Israeli families……and anyone who honestly resides in that part of the world. I do truly understand why Israel is doing what they have to and I personally will continue to support what they do through my own internal energy. I don’ t want to smell the smoke any longer…..and feel the anxiety for Israel……and I want rainbows (wishful thinking). However, along with peace tends to come struggle. I hope and pray the struggle is for a very short time as we all should as a nation that supports good people.
By Bradley D. Weisman
bweisman@inthesport.net www.inthesport.net
www.hotsauceandipa.com
Approved by Edison Nation www.edisonnation.com
I have never been to Israel, however I often felt like the home I grew up in had parts of Israel and its spirituality embedded in the walls of our house. My father was quite religious, but never outwardly imposed his beliefs on anyone. He just liked nice people and made religion something personal. Essentially he followed the golden rule and just treated those around him with respect and compassion at all times. He had no tolerance for haters….bigotry……..and people who did not embrace other cultures or religions. I tend to wrap my arms around and hug all nice people and not worry about much that goes passed that. Everyone is entitled to some set of beliefs; however hatred in the present should not be dictated by the past. Honest, that is my firm belief, however I know most would never agree with that. I struggle with building a division based on the past and not judging the present. Perhaps past history outweighs all of my thoughts and I need to learn more about history. I admit I am not up to snuff on a ton of history, but I tend to judge stuff based on the present and not past history. It seems to me that it would be unfair to judge a race…..religion…culture purely on something that was done many years ago. However, I do validate others feelings regardless of my own.
Today I feel the struggle…the concerns…..and smell the smoke from a distance. I am not fearful, but I am pushing my energy to the strength of Israel…..Israeli families……and anyone who honestly resides in that part of the world. I do truly understand why Israel is doing what they have to and I personally will continue to support what they do through my own internal energy. I don’ t want to smell the smoke any longer…..and feel the anxiety for Israel……and I want rainbows (wishful thinking). However, along with peace tends to come struggle. I hope and pray the struggle is for a very short time as we all should as a nation that supports good people.
By Bradley D. Weisman
bweisman@inthesport.net www.inthesport.net
www.hotsauceandipa.com
Approved by Edison Nation www.edisonnation.com
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- middle_east
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