HEARTS CAN CHANGE.. MINE DID

This video BLOG was shot mostly in NYC (Astoria, Queens). A place on earth where members from all races, colors & creeds have managed to live together in beautiful peace. I lived there for 8 years and while there learned how UNIMPORTANT it is to agree with those whose beliefs are different. The need to agree is selfish and narrow minded. Accepting those with opposing beliefs is the sign that what we believe is healthy.

I started this song, "ON OUR WAY BACK HOME" in 2001 shortly before 9/11, living in Astoria at the time. We watched the fire and smoke from the 2nd tower to go down from the roof of our building. My life changed that day and I found a seed of mistrust growing in me for anyone that looked to the Koran as a source of faith and wisdom. I'm not proud of that. I'm just being honest. I had written the 1st 2 verses of the song but lost interest in finishing a song about peace love and harmony among the races. Much of the overt feelings of mistrust passed over the next few years but the song never popped back up into my mind to finish.

On the night Obama won the presidential nomination I was moved to tears like many. Especially seeing how far we have come to be able to put an Afro-American in the Oval office. A couple of days later through a very random act I found a folder with the 1st 2 verses of the song. My heart was in an inspirational place so I finished the song but I was still aware of some unsettled business in my heart.

We had the idea to go into Astoria with 2 signs hanging on cameras that said; "SMILE IF YOU LOVE PEACE" (One written in English and one in Arabic).

As the day progressed I realized that some of the most enthusiastic faces for peace were from those who do look to the Koran for wisdom and faith and the experience cleaned a bad seed out of my heart. One of my personal "stars" in the piece is an Arab butcher who read the sing in Arabic but mouthed the words in English. He comes up at the 3rd verse.

So, I'm grateful to be free from mistrust of an entire culture because of a few that have hijacked the religion for hateful purposes.

I love love and pray this small effort will touch hearts. Please view and pass it around.

Smile

SMILE IF YOU LOVE PEACE

ON OUR WAY BACK HOME

I know I can't see how you see
I know you can't see how I see
We really don't need to agree at all
We're both in separate grocery lines
You're in your world, I'm in mine
Living our own dreams, great or small

We're on our way back home

Some to cities, some to fields
Some outspoken, some concealed
Some religion, some no god to call
Some to privilege, some to lack
Some the future, some the past
Always moving toward a common goal

We're on our way back home

To be understood means understand
We're all the same. All just man
Living, working, trying not to fall
So few of us are truly mad
And most of us, if had the chance
Would choose a kinder life, after all

We're on our way back home

Crowded streets. Country roads
Shouldering our private loads
Watching hopes and dreams, rise and fall

We need to take less than we give
Be forgiven and forgive
Celebrate our differences
And love and live and just let live

We're on our way back home

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Comment by Elizabeth Allen on January 6, 2009 at 12:35am: Peace Smile,
I like your song, and the way you describe your election night. And most important, I like how you describe your growth from mistrust to trust.

I too cried that night, for such a momentous change to have happened here. Not just having a black man elected president-that in itself is a major change for this country, but to have a president who says he will talk to other countries, engage in discussion-not just invasion and bombs-I am overwhelmed. After 8 years of Bush and cronies who bombed first and rarely talked, who lived and talked fear and hate, this is momentous. I am ecstatic that maybe our country will regain the respect of other countries in Europe and the Middle East for being a peace maker and facilitator-for listening, then speaking, for showing respect to others first without having to have it reciprocated. Without demands, other people will once again listen also. I think Obama is a listener.

Maybe once again we can help be a force for peace, respect, unity despite differences, unity with all our differences.

thank you for your words and song. They bring a smile to my face.
Elizabeth

Comment by Irit Hakim-Keller on January 5, 2009 at 11:54pm: thank you for the smile ....my smile.

Comment by biba zimmermann on January 5, 2009 at 7:22pm: great song!we really are on the way,hopefuly for the peace!

Comment by Sharon on January 5, 2009 at 2:17pm: Sitting in a seat where outside is calm - my children sleep and I am free to do as I please I read what is typed before me and inherently it comes to mind as to why the war continues to be. Why we cannot wait for leaders; as ourselves we must lead ourselves by example and share what empowerment we have to others so they as a seed can take themselves and plant their seed of empowerment into their community and live leading by example.

From this perspective it is my thought that maybe these of those that are killing those that should not are doing so because of knowing no other way in life. How to lead a trustful life when someone has miss-lead the one into the wrong is terribly rough. If one all their life has been harmed; then that one only knows harm and as a result of it danger can only occur.

We need to continue our intention - to continue to absorb what others write - to respond in type. The perspective of those that share such works as what there is here today. I thank you for the invitation of friendship; however, I am moreover moved by the association and understand that this is an invitation for connectedness with leadership skills of empowerment for future education.

My daughter was born in 2001 and I recall the horror as I fed this little baby - a little baby that had come into a world; I remember telling her that the example was to learn; be humble; be resilient; never be harmed by another's misfortune because the only misfortune in life is not to understand "how" to love, honour and respect.

Comment by SMILE if you love PEACE on January 5, 2009 at 5:11am: thank you so very sincerely

Comment by Anat-Elyah Harari on January 5, 2009 at 1:05am: Beloved brother in light and peace. Blessed be for this beautiful work. you brought tears to my eyes and a smile on my face. With blessings of love,light,joy,peace,laughter and gratitude. Anatelyah