Shministim

The Shministim are a young group of Israeli conscientious objectors. These people have made the decision to peacefully protest the Israeli-Palestinian situation by refusing to join the Israeli army. It is truly amazing that there are a group of individuals so committed to nonviolence. I have the utmost respect for the values that these people are upholding.

They are sent to military prison because they believe in a better, more peaceful future for themselves and for Israelis and Palestinians, for all people. They refuse to join the Israeli army. The sentences are relatively short, but they are sent to prison repeatedly, and several of them are currently serving their 3rd or 4th sentence in a military prison. They are all holding strong against immense pressure from family, friends, and the Israeli government, but they need your support - Today!!!

Check out a two-minute video about the Shminitim <www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNjggLhQo6w>

You can also go here <www.december18th.org> to show your support for their cause.

Secrets

Secrets can damage relationships; they can offend others; and they can tear your life apart.  I know that I have a secret.  Sometimes I think that it is going to kill me; other times I think I am overreacting.  Life is so much more fun without secrets.

I am too busy to do something about it.  Is that an excuse?  Should I drop everything and put all of my efforts toward ridding myself of this secret?  Or should I be strong enough to get over it without putting my life on hold?  I go back and forth.

Hey there pretty lady, what are you doing to yourself?  Why are you slowly killing yourself?  Cutting your spirit into pieces.  Throwing up the passion of your life.  And for what?  All I want is to be normal.  What is normal, does it even exist?

Did you ever wonder why...

sometimes you feel the most alone when you are surrounded by people?

Cities scare me.  I feel like one small insignificant fish in the vast ocean of everyone.  There are so many personal stories screaming to be told.  Every single person that you pass on the street has a different life story; I want to hear them all.  Instead I hear the honking of taxi cabs; the impatience of everyone is overwhelming.

Did you ever wonder why...

the littlest things can make you so incredibly happy?

Sometimes its the smile of a stranger, the fascination from a new toy, the organization of your 'things,' or simply the dawning of a new day.  Appreciation for the small things in life keeps me going day after day.  My ability to let loose and laugh over anything gets me up in the morning.  So whether its the beauty of nature or the uniqueness of life, take a moment to fully enjoy your surroundings.