Hear My Voice: Women of the Light

A strange cry pierces the hills, haunting yet familiar. I turn and look back to the valley. Ana! She is calling out to me, waving her arms and smiling. I can’t believe it. Ana has found her voice.

Born normal, an electrical explosion in her home as a baby rendered her deaf and mute. But that clear summer morning, as I was starting out on my day’s journey, Ana had wanted to tell me something. An intelligent and bright 6 year old, keenly observant, she called her voice from deep within, knowing that if she could release it, I could hear it.

Ana is my inspiration for seeking out and listening to the stories of women’s lives.

What do we really want when we desire change? Full immersion; transformation of spirit and mentality in our role as change makers and peace builders. Nothing is more frustrating for a change maker than dabbling. We don’t want to dip our toes into the edge of the pool. No, we want to jump in, full body, wave our arms, kick our feet, and slap the water from gentle eddies to rough waves.

For several years now I have been trying to become more fully involved as a fire builder in Israeli society, sparking conversations between Israeli Arabs, Israeli Jews, and our Palestinian neighbors. But do you know what? It’s hard. Not only is there the issue of geopolitical borders and literal walls between us, but it takes a lot of effort to devote yourself to relationship building when your partners are on the other side of the veil. We extend our hands in friendship, fingertips reaching across the divide, but the way is not clear. Politics and regional security cloud our vision. Mist obscures the horizon and the stars are blocked by storms. “Are we on the right path?” we ask each other.

My journey as a seeker has lead me to this glowing, brilliant tribe of WorldPulse women; bright rays of sun and a spirited wind of voices breaking through to clear the horizon. I want to become a Voices of the Future correspondent to magnify and concentrate that light into tinder, kindling our fires, igniting torches for the journey ahead.

Image source:
Credit to Nic McPhee, Creative Commons license, www.flickr.com/photos/nicmcphee/862161543.