I know that you’ve probably been waiting to hear or read some thoughts from me after this horrific nightmare that we are all experiencing. I so wish that I could wave some magic wand or say the perfect words that would heal and comfort and take away the pain. But since that is not a possibility I will simply share my thoughts, feelings and pain with you simply as one human being to another. I too am trying to process the events of the last few days. I have shared my innermost thoughts with all of you in the songs I have written like “Nayib’s Song”, “Close My Eyes”, “Always Tomorrow”, “Coming Out of the Dark”, and “Path of the Right Love”. However, words simply fall short when confronted with the reality that we are now living. Amidst the pain and fear, sorrow and anger I am faced with many questions. Where do we go from here? How do we make sense of this unimaginable tragedy? How do I comfort my children? How can we do these things to one another? But deep inside I believe we all know the answers to these questions. As far as I can see the world is dominated by love and fear. It is always our choice, which of these powerful emotions will rule our lives. At different moments or circumstances we may choose one over the other but it is always a “choice” that we are making. I am certain that even in this moment where “fear” is the most logical emotion to feel we must take control and not let it rule our lives or make our decisions. What’s done is done and there is no way back, only forward. I want my children to feel not like victims but that they have the power to change destiny and what is to come. The only way we can do this is by example. We must learn from this experience and find ways to avoid having to experience this terrible reality over and over. How do we do this? First by comforting each other and pulling together as I see this great country is doing. We are no longer just a “melting pot” of races, religions and cultures with so many differences. Rather we are a people united in our pain and disbelief. Not just “Americans” but people from so many countries throughout the world that have offered their condolences, prayers, help, blood and hope! THIS is the world that I want my children to see! Not the terror caused by a miniscule percentage of misguided souls who in their zeal have blasphemed their God without even realizing their mistake. They have killed their brothers and sisters. Because no matter how different we may all be, the truth, I believe, is that we are all connected! From the best to the worst of us it is obvious that we can no longer stand apart. Those who believe in good and truth and justice must now become proactive in spreading this in each of our lives so that it grows throughout the world. We must pray for our leaders so they can find the best solution to put the world on the right path rather than escalate the hatred. Of course there are practical things we can do to help us all feel safer but I think this situation has shown that “feeling safe” is something we can only do within ourselves. The fact is one day we will ALL die. But the only thing of value we leave behind to the generations to come is “love”. The love we shared with our family, our neighbors and friends, our communities, our countries and our world. Some of those that died in this tragedy and were able to speak to someone before they died chose their last moments alive to express their “love” for one another. Others put themselves directly in harm’s way to try to save the lives of strangers. Let THAT be their legacy! We must not diminish their sacrifice! Let’s move forward with renewed hope that we can become a better world, more united and more understanding in the knowledge that we all are one and we are all connected!
gloria