Weekly Photo Challenge: Foreign
This is my son in the arms of Sima, our housekeeper and my closest companion in Afghanistan. Being house bound a lot during our two years in Kabul, I spent almost everyday in the company of Sima in our old, large, rambling house in Wazir Akbar Khan.
We would sit together in the kitchen in companionable silence sorting out the day’s dusty vegetables from the market while she taught me simple Dari. Or we would all sing along to Barney being played on the CD. Sometimes we would make potato bulanie, an Afghan flat bread stuffed with vegetable filling and lightly fried on the pan. And she would tell me about her lifestory. And we would laugh and weep together.
A widow with four children, she is the sole breadwinner for her family. We come from different worlds. Our paths and life circumstances carved out for us from our births. And yet, we chattered and giggled like schoolgirls. We laughed and snorted at how smelly some men were and how terrible it must be to be their wives. She filled my days and our home with a sturdy presence. She loved my son as her own. And I had never doubted for a moment, she loved me dearly too.
Sima wears a burqa. The world is fixated with the burqa – the ultimate symbol of all that is foreign. It represents an Afghanistan which remains as one of the world’s last bastions yet to be conquered, subdued, reformed and changed. And so we all rush in with our great plans and big ideas to blast this country into the 21st century.
The Afghan culture is not perfect but it is ancient, rich and complex. I often wonder in this day and age, are we repeating the same awful, arrogant mistakes which had wiped out entire cultures and people groups simply because of our insatiable need to make the world instantly conform simply because it all looks foreign from our point of view?
All I know is that the woman behind this burqa is an intelligent, strong soul whose spirit remains unbroken through some of life’s greatest tragedies and yet looks on with hope. With or without the burqa.
I left Afghanistan with a pain in my heart because it was like being torn away from one of my own. So, if you ask me what do I actually think is foreign to the human spirit? It is unkindness. It is selfishness. It is prejudice. It is hatred. That is all.
Because honestly, there is nothing truly foreign about you and I.
O Children of Men!
Since We have created you all from one same substance it is incumbent on you to be even as one soul, to walk with the same feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell in the same land, that from your inmost being, by your deeds and actions, the signs of oneness and the essence of detachment may be made manifest.
~ Bahá’u’lláh
I love this story, Sharon, because I used to run Diversity training workshops in my corporate ‘past life’. One thing that we emphasized was not our differences, but those aspects of our humanity which we share; we all share a need to be loved, to be needed, to be valued, to be heard, to be respected. If we focus on these things, we see how similarly fragile we all are. The differences then just become quaint and lovely…we are all just who we are, doing our journey and learning what we must. I love the photo of Sima with your son. I love the fact that you took it, that you shared it with us and that you and her were so close. It speaks volumes about your nature, Sharon. Lots of love.
I have always thought that any education on cross-cultural issues (communication, solutions or cooperation) which does not involve the basic foundation of transcending our differences to see another person or entire culture with a spirit of reverence or being solely motivated by the quest to understand first – serves only to deepen the rift and conflict in our societies and the world today.
That’s why it is so heartwarming to know that your training workshops emphasised the spirit of unity in diversity. I personally believe that cross-cultural solutions is not about complying to an academic checklist but it’s first and foremost to possess a spirit of humility.
I went to Afghanistan not having the first clue or frame of reference what to expect. What I didn’t expect was to find peace and healing in the very hub of war. My dearest Yaz, thank you for having eyes which sees beyond the external differences. Everyone understands the language of kindness. With much love, Sharon
A lovely response to this week’s challenge. How I wish prejudice, fear if the unknown, and hatred were foreign to the world.
On a different note, I was surprised to see the photo of Sima without her burqa buy it really compliments the text.
Sorry for the typos…that should read, fear of not if, and but, not buy.
Thank you so much Barb for your feedback. Ignorance is the root of all prejudice, fear and hatred in the world. The only way is to educate the people, our youth, our children and teach them a new way of seeing the world and all who live in our world. We have been taught that conflict is the only way out but we can learn and decide to live by a different spirit. Quick fixes and instant reforms are not going to make the problems of the world go away. I believe true change will only happen when we all have a change of heart, mind and attitude. Hugs, Sharon
How beautifully you say it Sharon. There is nothing really foreign about you and me, my friend. If only more and more people would think like you do!!!!!!!! Afghanistan holds a special place in my heart, and I was teary eyed seeing the pictures of your beautiful son and his bond with Sima. The love between them is palpable and reaches us through those pictures. I have had the pleasure of knowing some kind, generous, loving Afghan men and women and grind my teeth when the world generalizes…..Thank you once again, for making my morning after Sandy’s devastation, beautiful. Stay well, my friend.
“The idea that some lives matter less is the root of all that is wrong with the world.” Dr Paul Farmer. I know you share this same philosophy with me and with a passion my dear Piyali! It made my heart warm to know that you have met Afghans first hand and have discovered as I have what a fine people they are. I have never met a people as fiercely loyal, hospitable, generous and dignified as the Afghans. They taught me so much about what it means to be a better person. The bond we had with Sima is special. I think of her everyday still. Thank you so much for making me so happy with your message! Much love, Sharon
Dear Sharon,
This piece, so lovely in its wistfulness, lays open the truth of our existence, our dreams, our delusion. Blessed is the moment when the veil of our blindness is lifted to reveal the possibilities of eternal love. Thank you for another exquisite post and these remarkable photos.
Much love, Vivian
My dearest Vivian, I cannot thank you enough for your message in response to this post. How very true that most of us cannot see truth because of the veil of blindness, vain imaginings, idle fancies and false teachings. How very sad that this veil keeps us from seeing the very soul of another human being and keeps us from recognising the sacred within each person.
Thank you so much for seeing.
These photos were taken one afternoon as Sima was about to go home and in the spur of the moment I grabbed my camera as my son ran up to her to give a goodbye hug. I can still see that moment so well in my mind and how we all laughed after that. With love always, Sharon
Thank you for sharing this personal perspective on how we really are all connected as one. Too often we forget our connection and see someone as different from us as foreign to us with possible negative reactions and judgments. Thank you for reminding our hearts and heads otherwise.
Blessings!
The diversity in the human family should be the cause of love and harmony, as it is in music, where different notes blend together to make a perfect chord. You described most accurately how we often pull back in mistrust when we meet someone who looks different from us because we are held back in our shells of conventionality. I think our world will begin to heal when we are quickened by the power of compassion and a love for one another.
Thank you my dear Valerie for sharing this vision and truth of our oneness. I am so glad to know you! Hugs, Sharon
This was a super post Sharon. I enjoyed reading it very much and such a good response to the challenge. Excellent stuff.
I appreciate your warm feedback very much Adrian! The unity of mankind remains something very close to my heart. Hugs, Sharon
Thanks for sharing this. There is so much truth in your story and your pictures are really beautiful.
Dear JC, so very good to hear from you! Thank you so much for coming by and leaving me this note. I really appreciate it. My warmest wishes to you for a beautiful day. Sharon
You win this week’s challenge Sharon – perfect response to this slightly uncomfortable prompt 🙂
This was my first time taking part in the weekly photo challenge! 😀 The theme intrigued me greatly. Thank you so much for your generous comment. It’s an issue which has always been very dear to me. Hugs! Sharon
I love that you used your son, the future, to show us that we’re all the same underneath.
I so much appreciate your feedback. How very precious to be able to see beyond differences and to love, respect and honour another person regardless of all cultural conditioning, practices, diversity of thought and opinion. I cherish your voice here very much. With much love, Sharon
Sharon, this is a beautiful post. If only we could all be as wise and non-judgmental and open to others.
Thank you so much Viv! It is indeed my hope to be able to always see our common humanity rooted in goodness in everyone. May we always find within our hearts a loving kindness burning for all who may cross our path. Hugs, Sharon
How beautiful, Sharon, to see these tender photos of your son and Sima, and hear of your profound connection to her and respect for the depth and richness of her culture. I worry, too, about the “Westernization” of indigenous and holy cultures rather than a collaborative partnering together, each enriched by the other. How lovely if we could approach each other with the humility, respect, and love you shared with Sima! Thank you for this reminder that such changes begin with each of us, our attitudes, perspectives, and actions taken in love.
I learnt from Sima to have a heart big enough to embrace differences, weaknesses and that love and forgiveness go hand in hand. How often we march about and trample on other people’s lives in the name of educating and liberating them without first asking, what may I learn from them? Her husband was killed in a missile attack while she was pregnant with her fourth child. She told me she couldn’t speak for months after. And yet today she is a living grace.
There are things I do not claim to understand about her culture but there are things I do not claim to understand about her strength, courage, perseverance and undiminished hope. I wish the world could know my Sima and the many countless, strong beautiful women and men in Afghanistan. And we cannot know them if we de-humanise them over a piece of blue cloth.
As always, you touch my heart with yours my dear Catherine. Love, Sharon
Like others who have commented before me, I think that your post has really tackled the subject which was suggested as a challenge to bloggers. But I have a slightly different attitude towards the subject. When I was traveling in other countries, and exposed to other cultures, I felt foreign a number of times. And a number of times, I felt that the cultures I was learning about, were truly foreign to me. It is true that we have a lot in common with other people, who are different from us. But it is also true, that after a study of DNA, it turns out that the differences between ourselves and a dog or a pig are only a very small percentage of the DNA map. Sometimes, the differences matter more than the similarities. That is why we occasionally encounter such great conflicts with a close friend, or a brother or sister. I think it is misleading to give too much attention to the similarities we have with people who are different from us. Aside from that, I have to say, that though the burqa is a part of an old tradition, accepted by both men and women of that society, I find it deeply disturbing. I can understand modesty. In our society, modesty is greatly valued too. But in this costume, which obscures the face of the person, I feel that the woman has been reduced to an object, a slave. As nice as she may be as a human being, I believe that she is so foreign from me, that I would not want to be in the same room with her for very long ( if she remained dressed in the burqa).
Dear Shimon, thank you for your views. I understand where you are coming from. I hope this finds you well. Take care.
What a touching post, my dear Shaz. The women of Afghanistan have endured so much in the last three decades as their country has been torn apart by invaders and civil conflict. Your story pierces my soul. Much love to you, dear Shaz.
My dearest Angela! Oh how truly excellent to see you again! I have missed you very much. Thank you for sending me this message. I know you share a passion for the well-being and advancement of the women of Afghanistan. I had expected to find meek, trembling shadows of women when I first got to Afghanistan. Instead I met some of the strongest, indomitable and most strikingly powerful women in the world. I do not defend the burqa. But I wish we could see beyond what is a visible affront to our own cultural perceptions in our ardent wish to help. Your heartfelt concern for the rights and privileges of these women inspire me. So much love! Shaz
Beautiful! Your words, your photos, and your soul. Just beautiful.
I feel your love my dearest Mo…thank you so very much. Hugs, Sharon
Sharon, you have such an intelligent heart. Your words seem to travel so lightly and easily regardless of the depth and seriousness of your subject. Never scolding or preaching. Always gently pointing. I love and always look forward to your writing.
Chris
Dear Chris, you don’t know how much your kind and thoughtful words mean to me. I thank you for your support for this post which has a very special place in my heart. With gratitude, Sharon
What a beautiful glimpse into your life there. Why do we try to change a place whose culture we don’t understand? Change has to come from within the borders. First they have to want it. That is something I have never understood about foreign policy and wars.
My dear Becky, you so accurately summed up what is essentially lacking in many development aid programmes today. In an age paying tribute to an egalitarian philosophy and democratic principles, development planning which still view the masses of humanity as essentially only recipients of benefits from aid and training seems to me an incomprehensible attitude of superiority and short-sightedness. This failure to recognise the inherent goodness and rich contribution unique in each culture is a great disservice to these very people and sadly to the world at large.
Thank you so much for your feedback. Always so good to hear from you! Many hugs, Sharon
Yes, especially when there is so much injustice in our own countries that our governments turn a blind eye too. Imagine what could be done with all the money that goes into fighting these unwinnable wars!
This is such a beautiful, heartfelt post, Sharon.
Dear Pat, I really appreciate your kind feedback especially for this post which holds so many special memories and significance for me. Hugs, Sharon
This is such an incredible and heartwarming post. I can only imagine how much you miss Sima as she became such an integral part of your family. Perhaps one day she can come and visit you in your new home wherever that may be.
Oh Bella! The idea of having Sima visit and stay with us has been on my mind all this while! We will make it happen one day. I am myself blown away when I think what a special and rare friendship I shared with a woman from Afghanistan who walked into my life one day and never left. Thank you for understanding. With so much love to you, Sharon
I love this post! The photos and the message go so well together especially with the last photo and the message. I love experiencing your posts my friend. Thank you for creating and sharing them, Sharon!
Russ
Dear Russ, your support and encouragement means the world to me. Thank you for always coming alongside and sharing my journey with me with such genuine joy and appreciation. I can’t thank you enough. Hugs, Sharon
Wonderful post, thank you! I had very similar experiences and reflections/insights in some of the countries I’ve lived in.
Dear Tiny, I am so glad to be connected to you knowing you share a deep love for the world. Thank you so much. Hugs, Sharon
Sima is beautiful. Friendship knows no political boundaries or borders. What a rich heritage for your family.
Dear Alice, you are absolutely correct. Sima is beautiful and we have all been immeasurably blessed and touched by her beautiful heart. She is the strongest person I know, and yet the most tender too. Thank you so much for seeing her beauty as well. With love, Sharon
This is a beautiful tribute to your housekeeper, and what a lovely connection the two of you have. This is a good lesson on what is foreign – hatred, unkindness, judgments, etc.
Dear Fergiemoto, if you had asked me what I knew of Afghanistan before I went there, it would have been what I had read from The Kite Runner and the The Bookseller of Kabul. Both while very well-written books, did nothing to boost my perceptions of the Afghan people and their culture. But reality turned out to be rather different. I’m just sharing my side of the story of this often misunderstood country and people. Thank you so much for your wonderful comment! Sharon
a very touching post Sharon..thank you so much for sharing this …and lovely photos too
sriram
I am glad you liked this post Sriram. The photos were taken on my little Sony compact which incidentally I left with Sima when we left Kabul. As always, so good to hear from you. Sharon
so nice of you to leave the camera with Sima…
nice image, wonderful writing.
Thank so much. It is so good to hear from you. Sharon
Such a beautiful post… So very insightful and sensitive, and will hopefully serve to shine light on these souls.
Thank you so much Feygirl. Your feedback made me feel much warmth in my heart! Hugs, Sharon
Truly poetic and heartfelt, Sharon. Take care, D.
Dearest Diane, it means so much to know this post touched you. Thank you and much love to you and thinking of your delicious garden persimmons and other loveliness. Hugs, Sharon
I enjoyed your post so much. I feel so strongly that we need as a species around the globe to stop building walls to divide us….tear them all down. We all bleed the color red, and in the end we all feed the earth. Why waste time focusing on differences – celebrate! The diversity of all of us is what keeps life so interesting I think. Sima was beautiful and I can tell she was loved and she loved all of you. Happy Halloween dear friend! Big hug!
Thank you my dear Saymber for your big heart. And how true these endless wars for a piece of earth which we feed with the lives of our sons and daughters. Sima was a lovely person and we were blessed the day she entered our lives. Happy Halloween to you too! Hugs and catch up with you soon! Sharon
Beautiful post Sharon. You’ve shown with just a few words how basic friendship between normal people transcends prejudice and fear. Folk are folk the world over, we just have different ways of doing things. I hope Sima and her family are coping with the turmoil that currently prevails in that corner of the world.
Thank you so much Finn! Always a pleasure to hear from you. How right you are that we find common grounds of coming together and not be put off by seemingly glaring differences. We perpetuate conflicts and misunderstandings when we are not able to move beyond our judgemental minds. I sometimes feel that all the wrongs in our world continue to exist because people talk of ideals and yet shun the actual practice of translating those ideals into everyday acts of friendship. Thank you for your well-wishes for Sima and her family. You are very kind. Sharon
Sharon, I will come back to read this as I want to savor each word..You may already be familiar with this but will go ahead and share.. http://awwproject.org/
Dear Roberta, I am touched. Thank you for the link to the Afghan Women Writers Project. It is wonderful to be linked to so many talented writers from Afghanistan and to hear their voices of courage. Thank you for your care and passion for the cause of these women. Hugs, Sharon
Great photos and touching story. A lot of eye-opening truths there. Thanks for sharing
Dear Maurizio! Thank you so much for coming by and a warm welcome to you! You have a fantastic photo blog and I look forward to getting to know you. Best wishes, Sharon
Isn’t the internet great? Some say it isolates us, but I say it unites us more, regardless of distances and differences. How else would you find touching stories like yours? This medium can make you believe that there is still hope for mankind 🙂 Thank you for your kind comment about my blog… Peace.
how wonderful if people would adopt the way you think. You’re right, prejudice, hatred and selfishness divide us. Even within our small little country, these “worm” eat away the unity that ones existed. I love the way you’ve used these pictures to bring that message across.
My dearest Martha, if there is one person I know who works relentlessly to promote the rights and equality of people groups outside your own, it would be you! Thank you for being such an inspiration to me in your work of awareness among the refugees, immigrant workers and the orphans. I hope we can continue to labour for peace and unity wherever we are and translate love into everyday tangible action.
I was just thinking of you and remembering that I still owe you a reply that you left me in a previous post which I dearly wanted to respond to. I hope you are doing much better and improving day by day. Remember to take it slow and easy – I know, we share the same birthdates and I suspect the same drive as well!! So much love and plenty of hugs to you. Sharon
These are beautiful memories of Afghanistan and a lovely post Sharon. I have similar memories from another much maligned Arab country – kind, friendly and generous people, beautiful landscapes, good food, old and precious culture. Not at all like they are described in our media.
You are right – there are no foreigners.
hugs from Aditix
It takes understanding, humility and a certain courage to think and investigate the truth independently from what the media, popular culture and our own environment tell us about an unfamiliar place and people. I am glad you are one such person Aditix. And I am sure knowing these beautiful people and country have enriched you beyond what you could have imagined. Many hugs to you, Sharon
Hi, Sharon, and thank you for this lovely tribute to a woman and a culture who, indeed, remain foreign to so many of us. We were never taught anything about Afghanistan growing up that I can recall, or the mid-East for that matter, but what brought Afghanistan to the forefront of my mind is “The Kite Runner.” That heartbreaking story sent me on a journey of exploration to learn more about this culture, their ways and their handsome people. It is a sad comment on society today that we so easily condemn who/what is different, and I believe it all comes out of fear. And where there is such fear, love struggles to be heard. I’m hoping your post expands readers’ desire to open their hearts and minds ever wider to those who seem foreign, but in the end, are just like us.
Thanks … Jeanne
Dear Jeanne, you so accurately pointed out one of the greatest threats towards unity, peace and understanding in our world today – fear. Fear is indeed the rootcause of all racial, religious and national prejudice. And fear exists in the absence of truth, knowledge and true education.
It just seems to take so much more effort to make that first move to change our perceptions and worldview. To reach out first with humility and a desire to understand.
I am most happy to know that even when there is so much division in our world today – so many more are striving to bridge that gap. To cultivate a different spirit. I know you are one of those. With much love, Sharon
Your words take me to somewhere beyond understanding. It feels like it all has come from heaven. Keep it up Sharon, as Always lovely post.Keep writing, Keep clicking..Hugs..:D 🙂
My dear Tanzz, you are so good to me! Thank you so much. I am glad to know that in all our beautiful diversity, we can work towards unity as well. You take care and plenty of hugs from me, Sharon
Beautifully written. In a way you just made my day. Cheers from Alaska
Dear Mike, what a very kind greeting you sent me all the way from Alaska! Thank you so much for coming by and I have a deep respect and interest for what you do in the education and support and sustainability of the environment in your travels. I look forward to getting to know you! Sharon
Lovely and interesting post, Sharon. I wish for and hope that Afghanistand can keep the rich and complex culture, and at the same time get more freedom for the people. Freedom from war, and half the population should not be house bond or hidden behind cloth.
Thank you so much Bente. Your wish for Afghanistan is also my wish. Sharon
Thank you for the beautiful post and images, Sharon.
Dear Ruth,
I thank you for your encouraging note and your love for our beautiful world. Hugs, Sharon
Thank you Shaz for more of your beautiful stories. You are so right in all that you express with such kindness poring from your heart. You are a kind soul and am so proud to have met you. Big hugs. Renee 🙂
My dearest Renee, you always bring so much sunshine when you come! Thank you so much. I am blessed to have met you and what makes it comforting to know is that whoever crosses your path today will be blessed too. My warmest hugs to a very dear one!! Shaz
Sweet Shaz, I remember the first time I met you and I felt like I could have you over for a cup of tea and chat and chat. You have touched my heart. hugs. Renee 🙂
This is a wonderful post. You have captured the essence of our oneness. I tremble with the thought of what we do in countries of the world in the name of “liberation” and “modernization”. Living together as you did is what really facilitates change…if change is needed.
It is a sobering thought indeed, that in the 21st century we sometimes still repeat the mistakes we made in the past. Development and assistance are necessary to ensure basic human rights for every single man, woman and child regardless of gender, ethnicity and nationality. But this has to be done in a spirit of reverence and humility and not from a place of superiority or ridicule. Ultimately, when we seek to bring change to a community, it has to come from within and not forced upon from without.
All progress is change but not all change is progress.
I thank you so much for your sensitivity and obvious care for our world and everyone in it. So much hugs, Sharon
Beautifully shared… My heart goes out to all who struggle wherever they are. This is a powerful piece and yes, unkindness is foreign to the intended nature of the human spirit.
My dear Elizabeth,
If there one person I know who is working tirelessly to bring the world together and reach out with compassion, it is you. Thank you so much for coming by. It is always a pleasure to hear from you. Thinking of you and I hope that during this time of restoration after the storm, many will find refuge in you. Hugs, Sharon
Hi Sharon,
Your blog came at such an ironic time because I’m taking a college class, “Intro to Islam”. In class, we have discussed topics such as the Origins of Islam, Islamaphobia, Orientalism, to the hijab. Even thou, we grew up in Malaysia, I never really understood the religion and taking this class has been so rewarding to me. Ignorance and hatred can be so entrenched in a people, nothing can change their mind. It is very sad to see all the misery and unrest going on around the world.
I would love to chat with you sometime of your experience in Afghanistan. Just saw ARGO recently, and thought it was a “Hollywood” based movie…mmmm. Just completed a book report on “Persopolis” by Marjane Sartrapi. Have you read her books?
By the way, I’m finally connected with Michelle Wong. I think you know her.
Take care, and let me know if you ever come visit California.
Veronica
Hi Vicky!!!!
I apologise for this very late reply to your wonderful comment! Thank you so much for writing. One of the most wonderful things in life is to discover for the first time what we thought we already knew! It is so absolutely outstanding that you are taking this course in college. Indeed how can there is peace in the world unless there is first understanding of each other? Understanding of the beliefs that motivate each other? Oh it would be great to sit down and chat with you one day!
Btw, I had no idea you are in the US. Tell me more about what you’re doing there and how’s life. I thought you were still living in Kulim! Thank you so much for the invitation. I appreciate it so much. Write again soon and keep in touch. Wishing you a wonderful day!
Sharon
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Hello, I first read this beautiful post when we were learning about a new country, Nepal, and meeting the lovely people there – then my internet connection went down! Now we are home and I just want to say how this post touched my heart. I’ve read all the wonderful comments and so agree with you and everybody that we are all one under the skin. I, too, worry about the imposition of Western ways on other countries who have the most amazing histories and cultures if only we bother to find out about them.
Your friend, Sima, sounds so lovely and I can understand why you miss her. Perhaps one day, she will be able to visit and it will be as if there have been no days apart after all.
Hugs to you. You are such a lovely person and I am so glad we have ‘met’ across the miles! 🙂
This is beautiful, Sharon. I cried. What a beautiful story, a lovely photo essay even with just the photos.
I am sure you have seen this cartoon at some point -http://static.thesocietypages.org/socimages/files/2008/12/1.png – despite its lighthearted jab, it speaks volumes. Humans have always feared the unknown, have we not? I remember a particular moment while studying in France, where burqas and niqabs et al are banned: we were discussing Muslim immigration in our contemporary French civilization class (which had been cast in a negative light), and the professor said (in French, of course), “Isn’t it so backwards that their women cover every part of themselves?” I countered: “So what is progressive? Me running in the streets naked?” I’d been known by then in that class to make witty comments, and she nervously laughed it off, but I hope it planted a seed of thought in her.
I have never reblogged before, but this made such a big impact on me, I hope you don’t mind me sharing it with my readers.
Best,
Rowena
My dear Rowena,
I just don’t have the words to express just how much your message means to me. And it means so very much because of all the posts I have published, this one is very close to my heart and represents my life’s mission for a better world. It means the world to know that you share this same passion.
Oh I am so glad you spoke up that day in your French civilisation class. “The idea that some lives matter less is the root of all that is wrong in our society.” Dr Paul Farmer.
I do believe the world desperately needs a lot more people who would go beyond just agreeing on tolerance and solidarity. Fearless enough to speak up, stand up and ulitmately translate ideals into everyday living actions of compassion to all mankind. Thank you for being that kind of a person.
Hugs, Sharon
Reblogged this on Lookingglass: A Nomad on the Loose and commented:
I have never reblogged before because I like to post only original content on this blog, but the following post from Sharon made such a big impact on me, I wanted to share it with more people. I cried when I saw these photos and read the post.
Humans have always feared the unknown, yet there is such beauty in acceptance. We do not have to all assimilate into one homogeneous blog, but how lovely would the world be if we accepted our differences.
I remember a particular moment while studying in France last year. Burqas, niqabs, et al. are banned in the country, and one day we were discussing Muslim immigration in our contemporary French civilization class (which had been cast in a negative light). At one point in the discussion, the professor said (in French, of course), “Isn’t it so backwards that their women cover every part of themselves?” I countered: “So what is progressive? Me running in the streets naked?” I’d been known by then in that class to make witty comments, and she nervously laughed it off, but I hope it planted a seed of thought in her. I don’t want her to have the exact same line of thought as me, but I hope through her encounters with students from other countries that she at least starts to think about some of her strongly-held beliefs.
Please enjoy Sharon’s post, and follow her if you so wish – she often posts beautifully thought-provoking words and images.
What a beautiful thought-provoking post, Sharon. 🙂 It is wonderfully written too.
What an incredible post Sharon. I was in such deep thought reading it and then to suddenly see the woman behind the burqa and the love in the gaze of your son… Her face touched my soul. Your writing is moving and thought provoking and refreshing. Thank you.
Wouldn’t it be great to change the world one person at a time? Oh wait, I think you just did… Infinite diversity in infinite combinations IDIC. yeah its corny old Star Trek, but what wonderful things we can learn from one another by listening to and accepting one another. Don’t get me wrong I have no use for extremists at all. However I am more than sure that the moderates outnumber them greatly. They need a voice, and to not be afraid to speak out. “The only thing needed for evil to prosper is for good men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke. Love you! Talk to you soon! D.
My dearest Donna!
How very good to hear from you! So sorry for this late reply. Thank you so much for coming over and for this really great comment. Peace is not only the absence of war but to view each one as equally sacred, equally worthy. I love that quote you put up there. Sobering isn’t it. Take care and love to all at home! Hugs, Sharon
Beautiful story and photos, Sharon. I love the photo of your son looking for Sima’s face while she’s talking to him. His expression is just so cute. And, congrats for winning the photo challenge!
I am glad I managed to catch that candid moment! I happen to have the camera out one afternoon and just took these three photos. Somehow they each took on a life of their own in a natural sequence of events. Oh I didn’t win the challenge. I just took part in it because the theme intrigued me 😀 Thank you so much Lee for taking the time to come over. Always good to catch up with you! Hugs, Sharon
Sharon ✿, What a ‘post’!!! Beautiful! 😀 Hugs, ♥ Fae.
The “like” button does not do justice to this post. Neither does “thank you”, but it is all words will allow, so… thank you Sharon.
This is so beautifully written, Sharon. The photos are very poignant, and suit your message perfectly.
Sharon, this is such a beautiful tribute to your friend. I have a bridal hope chest from Afghanistan, and in light of all that’s happened there over the decades, I wonder what its story is, whose treasures and dreams it once held, and how those women are today.
Reblogged this on and commented:
I want to share this incredible post by Sharon from A Leaf in Springtime. What a beautiful and poignant series of photos. As she quotes: “The idea that some lives matter less is the root of all that is wrong with the world. – Dr Paul Farmer.” I’m with you on this!
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Finding your “like”, then your blog and this particular post was a real blessing this morning. Thank you for your thoughts and pictures that say it all. Every life is precious, we are all brothers and sisters in this world. It seems that women, mothers, share links that go over borders, cultures, languages and prejudices. Much gratitude for your sharing.
Wonderful post! Happy to have discovered your blog! Keep up the good work!