Hope Amidst War: How I Hold Hope Since Oct 7th

I didn’t know, how I would hold hope amidst the sounds of war?

Hope used to be one of the brightest in my garden of moments.

I would advocate for its sweetness.

In the most challenging of times, guide the ill and grieving.

To their own treasures of hope.

And then Oct 7^th happened.

My soul was captured by grief, fear, pain and unbearable sadness.

Hope seemed to have fled down the rivers of my tears.

I didn’t know, how I would hold hope amidst the sounds of war?

And the aftermath of a horrific massacre.

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Despite the overwhelming odds, hope persists.

War with its destructive force and pervasive despair often seems antithetical to hope.

Especially one that began after the traumas of innocent slaughtered citizens.

One of those being my dear friend.

It is a harrowing ordeal for all that are involved.

Leaving scars that run deep within societies and individuals.

Despite the overwhelming odds, hope persists.

 Each time a bit of hope would caress my heart.

Hope kept knocking on my soul’s door.

Not allowing me to forget the sounds of its song.

In Israel and N.Y., I witnessed enormous acts of compassion and kindness for the hostage families.

The sons of Vivian Silver, a victim of the massacre, spoke of peace.

I talked with those that offered shelter to all the evacuees.

And those that had lost everything dear, on that gruesome Saturday.

My sister and her family are among those that were left no other choice but to evacuate their home.

She shared her hope as my Tel-Aviv home became hers.

Each time a bit of hope would caress my heart.

It takes courage to hold hope.

I know there are long lasting effects of war.

Physically, psychologically and spiritually.

I have lived through many.

But this was different, everything about it seemed to weaken my well of hope.

It takes courage to hold hope.

When the pains of war cloud your vision.

The constant threat of violence and loss can take a toll on even the most resilient spirits.

Leading to a deep despair.

Hope endures, it is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

Hope manifests itself in acts of defiance against injustice.

In the face of tyranny, individuals rise up refusing to succumb to despair.

I chose to dedicate my time and heart to bringing the hostages back home from Gaza.

Together with an amazing group of people I found my courage to hold hope.

A forum devoted to keeping hope alive for each of the hostage families.

Hope endures, it is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

As long as there are people willing to dream and work towards a better tomorrow hope will thrive.

Transcending the horrors of war and ushering in brighter moments for all.

Hope is born every morning anew.

Hope is born every morning anew.

It is moment by moment.

Hope is a necessity, and we mustn’t stand in its way.

I remind myself of this every day.

The many families of the hostages held by Hamas terrorists can’t afford to give up on hope.

So how can I?

My Heart’s Prayer

May hope guide us all to a place of peace.

May every child on both sides of the land never hear the winds of war again.

And may all the kidnapped hostages return home.

Amen.

You can find words of hope in my book A Heart’s Landscape.

And inspirational thoughts in my Morning Inspiration newsletter.