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| Vol.3.50 | |
Sulha - Accelerating Peaceby Vince PoscenteAuthor of The Ant and the Elephant, Invinceable Principles and The Age of Speed Picture this. An Israeli mother, whose daughter died because of a Palestinian suicide bomber, holds hands with a Palestinian who'd been imprisoned by Israelis for untold crimes. They look into each other's eyes in the spirit of forgiveness. In societies with no police, Sulha was a justice council of sorts. In situations where a person had been unjustly treated, he can get retribution decreed at a Sulha council.
I spoke to a Principal of a school who teaches non-violence to 900 students. I met Ali, a Palestinian refugee, who lost family in the conflict alongside an Israeli mother whose son was killed by a Palestinian sniper. They gave a joint presentation with a simple message, if you chose a side, you're part of the problem. I met Nicoletta who is spearheading a Forgiveness Council that adjudicates common ground of warring factions - all in the spirit of peace. Peace, it turns out, has a quick and easy solution. Connection and forgiveness. Two simple words with a colossal outcome; peace! Going to the Sulha - Peace Festival I was a bit dubious. At first, it looked like a cross between Woodstock and a Jerry Lewis telethon. But my trepidation turned into sheer amazement. Prior to the Sulha, there were Israelis where the only time they'd met a Palestinian was when they were holding a rifle during military service. Those who do not believe that there can be peace in the Middle East have not experienced the healing power of connection and forgiveness. Pain is relative. Witness the pain of a kindred soul and the pain is not isolated. Experience the power of forgiveness and forgiveness becomes mutual. The potential of peace in the Middle East is not a distant notion. It is entirely possible in the Age of Speed. Accelerate connection plus forgiveness and peace is an embrace away. This may sound somewhat straight forward, but let's bring this closer to home. Let's say you're hurt and upset by something your sister did. Use speed to your advantage and immediately find a way to connect then forgive. If you are truly upset by what your sister did, then you may find it difficult. You might be afraid that things won't go well. Use the advice of Ralph Waldo Emerson. "In skating over thin ice, our safety is in our speed." In this case, if you don't use speed, the hurt, pain and feeling of revenge will only fester. Whether it's the Middle East or closer to home it takes courage to first connect and then forgive. You have the courage to accelerate peace. Now skate. Until next week it’s full speed ahead,
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© 2010 Vince Poscente. All Rights Reserved. |
