#radical love

[socialist-microwave-laser]

excerpts from a conversation between bassam aramin and rami elhanan, moderated by marina cantacuzino, as a collaboration between the parents' circle family forum and the forgiveness project. for context, aramin is a palestinian man whose 10 year old daughter was killed by an israeli border police officer, and elhanan is an israeli man whose teenage daughter was killed in a suicide bomb attack by palestinians

"we had to meet for one year and then we learned we are the same... we both cared about palestinians and israelis as human beings" aramin

"our common enemy is the israeli occupation. both of us are victims of the israeli occupation" aramin

"one israeli soldier shot and killed my daughter, but more than 100 israeli soldiers came together and built [a playground as a memorial] for my daughter" aramin

“i think this world is sitting on the balcony, clapping their hands and cheering on the murder. it’s like a soccer team; you have the colors of your team and you have the slogans of your team” elhanan

"we don’t want you to import this conflict into your own society. we don’t want you to be pro-israeli or pro-palestinian, we want you to be pro-peace" elhanan

“when you discover your own humanity, you discover the humanity of your enemy. and you discover the nobility of your enemy, and you learn that your enemy is exactly like you. you both want to live and have children. and it’s very difficult, but it’s also difficult to be human” aramin

“how do people move on? how will they try to move on? they need hope. at the end, we need hope” aramin

“we didn’t meet as friends, no, we meet as enemies. but now we are family. and we had to start by talking to each other” aramin

“the palestinians didn’t kill six million israelis, and the israelis didn’t kill six million palestinians. but there is german ambassador in tel aviv, and there is an israeli ambassador in berlin. so we know we can do it” aramin

“it’s okay to disagree. it’s the human nature to disagree. it’s very acceptable that not everyone thinks alike… you have the common demoninator … one thing is common. the common denominator is we accept each other. we accept each other’s pain” elhanan

“you need to be pro peace and justice. justice means for the israelis and the palestinians” aramin

“we will not remember the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends” aramin

“how will you get respect if you don’t give respect? once you are able to listen to the pain of the other, you can expect the other to listen to your pain” elhanan

“don’t claim that you own the truth always. people’s stories are their truth. you need to listen, respect, then the other side will listen to you and your pain” aramin

“the competition of victimhood is such that people get crazy. they start to argue about the numbers of dead children, the numbers of beheaded heads. things that are pornography… is it important to know if there are 20 women that are killed, or if it was 19?” elhanan

“end the israeli occupation. then and only then can the israelis and palestinians live without fears, and sleep without fears” aramin

“i don’t believe that any god can promise anything to anyone, can want anyone to kill. i think this is a whole invention to serve political interests. and i think the evangelicals are no different than the right wing jews who say that god gave them this country. god did not give anything to anyone” aramin

“i consider myself to be a very proud jew and a very committed one. patrolling and oppressing and massacring and occupying is not jewish. and opposing that is not antisemitism. and if you are in an argument, then you can call me” elhanan

“it’s not hope, it faith. i do not reckon that we will go on killing each other forever… we know eventually there will be peace. we don’t know how much blood we need for the politicians to sign this same treaty, but it will be done” aramin

“i am calling the usa to release the israelis and the palestinians together, because we are both victims of its agenda” aramin

#jumblr #anarchist #i/p #parents circle families forum #the forgiveness project #rami elhanan #bassam aramin #islam #radical love

[loveerran]

It is not just about giving our life to God. It's about giving our life in service to all God's children.

#and that means everyone #radical love #true christianity #queerstake #tumblrstake #religion #love

[queer-reader-07]

if you would allow me to be sappy on main for a moment, i think there is something so powerful in choosing to fall in love with the world and with the human story.

i can't speak for everyone, but i know that i went through a period in my life where i was nothing but cynical and nihilistic about the world. i had convinced myself that nothing mattered, that if the world fell apart before my eyes it was what we deserved.

but here's the thing, cynicism isn't sustainable. you are never going to be able to find joy in this world if you convince yourself everything sucks and there's no joy to even be found in the first place.

yeah, sometimes the world does suck. sometimes all i want to do is curl up in a corner and sob because i'm violently scared that my loved ones won't come home safe because they dared to exist as themselves in this world. i cannot put into words the levels of fear i felt for my mom's safety during 2020/2021 when anti-asian hate spiked in the US, i worried everyday that she would not come home because how dare she exist as an asian woman in this country. when anti-trans legislation started picking up steam i was, and still am, scared for the safety of myself and all the trans people i know. the world sucks sometimes, people suck sometimes. but i refuse to let myself give up.

i want to believe in beauty of the world, i want to be able to revel in the fact that we are alive, that i am alive. and that our being alive means that we can create beauty and wonder and joy.

i get to enjoy the art that people create, because oh how special is it that we create art? that i can open my phone and read beautiful words crafted by people oceans and countries away. that i can bask in the beauty of the drawings and paintings people so kindly share with the world. that i can walk into a library and be surrounded by generations of stories that i have the privilege of reading. that i can go to a concert and experience the transcendence of live music.

but i also get to experience the beauty of nature. i get to watch as the clouds turn pink on my early morning drives to school. i get to take photos of the cherry blossoms in the few weeks that they turn pink in the spring. i get to look out my car window on a clear day and see the mountain grace us with her beauty.

i am alive. we are alive. why should we waste this life wallowing in cynical despair?

i have to believe in the world. i have to believe in the human story. i have to hold onto the hope that life is worth living and that things will get better. i am reminded of that hope every time i see art that makes me feel alive, every time i read a book or a poem or a story that makes me feel like being a human is a beautiful thing, every time a song transports me into a new world. i am reminded of that hope every time i talk to my friends and am reminded of why i love them so deeply. i am reminded of that hope every time i learn something new and feel the joy of new beginnings and new experiences wash over me.

i hope. and that is a powerful thing. it is a powerful thing to hope and to love and to believe. to hope for a better world. to love the world. to believe in the world.

a friend told me recently that i love and care for humanity fiercely and gently. and i think that's the root of it all. i don't just love my people, i love people. i love the human story, i believe in the human story, i have hope for our story.

it is powerful to love and believe and hope when you exist within a society that wants to beat you down. it is powerful to love and believe and hope when you are the "other" in the social order. it is powerful to love and believe and hope when you used to think you were not worthy of those things.

it's hard to love and to hope and to believe. but i have to, for my own survival. i have to allow myself to fall in love with the world. i have to allow myself to believe. i have to allow myself to hope. because for so long i didn't allow myself those things. and i think that is a powerful thing, that i can allow myself those things now.

#this ended up much longer than i'd intended #woops lol #i just love the world and the human story and art #love is powerful #hope is powerful #and don't let anyone tell you otherwise #love #radical hope #radical love #personal #musings on love #not good omens

[ofdirtandbones]

I need you to be gentle. I need you to be kind. I need you to see the parts of you that exist inside of me.

We all came from the same ocean. Our flesh is made from the same dirt. Maybe when you understand that you’ll be more compassionate toward yourself.

#kindness #radical kindness #compassion #gentleness #radical love #gremlincore #goblincore #naturecore #forestcore #cottagecore

[itsnatt09]

When I started on this journey for myself almost 2 years ago (telling my ex that I needed to transition or I would die), I expected that a lot of my experiences would be lonely. And again, starting hrt 1 year ago nearly, I thought it would just be me and a few friends who loved me but maybe didn't *get* what I was going through.

But the last few months, as I've opened myself up and talked about my thoughts, I've started to see I positively impact other people. And not just in the online space. My son's *teacher* talked to me today about how my posting body-positive things on Facebook helps her feel more comfortable about herself. The leader of my hobby group has said that she has a good feeling about me and wants me around as much as possible. My friend Jess trusts me to listen when she talks about having neurodivergent kids.

It turns out that now I've sorted myself a bit, I get to help the people in my life. Just 5 years ago I was in a black hole, resigned to the thought that life wasn't worth living. And it might be the estrogen talking, but I tear up thinking about how lucky I am to love and to be loved now. Love is now at the heart of everything I do.

#self love #radical love #trans #transition #trans is beautiful #it me hi

[capricorn-0mnikorn]

One of my favorite poetry teachers, Jericho Brown, says something about shame that I've never forgotten, which is when we engage with shame, we are believing the lies that people tell us about ourselves. And there is nothing more worth the risk of telling your story than to eradicate that shame, to speak back to it and begin to claim radical love.

Omotara James, in an interview with Leila Fadel, 21 February, 2024. NPR's "Morning Edition."

Full transcript now up at the following link:

#author interview #new book: poetry #queer represetation #fat representation #Pride #anti-shame #radical love #NPR morning edition

[thereconstructinggirl]

He has told you, O mortal, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God? (‭‭‭Micah‬ ‭6‬‬:‭8‬ ‭NRSVUE‬‬)

#a verse i’ve been thinking a lot about recently #my favorite book from the bible #radical justice #radical love #deconstructing christianity #progressive christianity #reconstructing christianity #anglican #christian witch #christopagan #episcopal #queer christian

[cassemiah]

I think I expected to be angry

Because I have been

Kids are dying

Women are losing children

Men being forgotten

So I deserve to be angry

But I can only think

of the son who fell asleep

on his father on the bus

I should be angry

But there was a baby

And he smiled and I knew

He'd grow up with parents who cared

I think they want me angry

But half of the things they said

Were about loving

Them and each other

I'm not sure I want to be angry

Because grandmother's

Will always feed children

Even if they're grown and travelling alone

How can I be angry

When humans all

So clearly and so freely

Love simply

#protest #radical love #radicalize love #poetry #spilled poetry #spilled ink #spilled thoughts #poems on tumblr #poets on tumblr #spilled words #spilled emotions #poem #humans are kind

[wholesome-supervillain]

don’t just ask God for blessings.

ask him to help you bless others, and then go out and do it. help with small things like cleanup after events or meal prep or carrying bags or homework. compliment people’s bright hair dye or pretty skirt or cool shoes or funny t-shirt. sit next to people and talk to them, make new friends, invite them to eat with you. go out to that empty lot with garbage bags and pick up all the trash—watch, passersby will silently join you, if only for a few minutes. go out of your way to give.

then kneel by your bed, exhausted, and thank God for the blessings you have received.

#religion #christianity #christian faith #radical love #radical kindness #i’m saying this because #sometimes i don’t do anything for other people and at the end of the day i feel fine #and sometimes i give my day to other people and have less time for myself #and those days are the best in the world #we are made to love #y’all. Y’ALL #give to other people without expecting anything back and i PROMISE it will bring you joy

[somelocusts]

As far as I'm concerned, there's no better trope than "You aren't evil. You aren't irredeemable. You're grieving. That's normal. But you're hurting people, and you're hurting yourself, and I can't let you do that. So if you need to hurt someone, hurt me. I can take it. And when you've worn yourself out, I'll still love you."

#Narrative tropes #Radical love #Tropes #Media tropes #character dynamics

[oroisalchemy]

January mood board

February- pls bring us more love, protection, guidance, growth, abundance, peace, and joy.

In a world of plasticity and chaos, stay close to those you love & who love you, stay rooted.

#love #healing #bethechange #gratitude #lesbian #radical love #nature #florida #dogs of tumblr #dogs #cat #poetry #lgbtq #anarchy

[lillysilverus]

#Jared Padalecki #Zachary Levi #Book People #Radical Love #two lovable people

[catsinthebagdesignposts]

What Love Says… Loving Radical You

You are beauty expressed in awe and empowered by radical love. Thoughtful, interconnected, creator, shining a perspective created through conscious awareness from truth and authentic love that you are. Your authenticity is to lovingly choose being the author of your life.

Look inward with awareness, caring for neglected places within. Transform you wounds with love creating songs of love and joy. Intentionally shape from within small acts of love, this spreads beauty and glitter in your heart. Love glitter opens hearts into a beautiful, intelligent weavers of love, light and healing for all.

The loving inner work you do peels away all that hides your truth, magnificence, worth, light, creativity so you may glitter, glow and shine. You are courage, resilience in the presence of love, your vulnerability strengthens you to summon wise responsiveness in all experiences. Loving radical heart creates.

Loving all your quirks, qualities, talents, gifts, you become a confident open heart that humbly and compassionately shines. A loving radical you with the power of love radiating from you inner temple, self love inspires an OWLsome loving radical you.

What Love Says… 2024 by Jennifer R. Cook @catsinthebagdesignposts illustrations, content are the imagination, thoughts and feelings expressed here every day are from one heart to all.

owls #owlsome

#love #storyteller #illustration #illustrator #life #creativity #positive #selflove #heart #mondayvibes #thoughts #radical love #glitter #authentic #truth #transformation #owls #owllovers

[tonguetwisterrs]

Dream “it” so that “it” can be.

The 3D world has told you to look outside for inspiration for your creations.

However, Tesla, Einstein, and Da Vinci … can attest to the power of dreaming, imagining, and envision as a quintessential component of creating ANYTHING. whether theories, art, or conceptual wisdom…

Actualization is the process of transforming a thought into an idea and an idea into a plan, and from there, the transference of energy from the internal realm to the external reality. All that you see and know is a thought actualized, therefore, why actualize what has already been created when you could actualize what has not yet been thought of?

Dream! Dream! You will not find new creations outside of you. It is impossible to seek something not yet created outside, you must dream and imagine! Let your imagination soar!

Xo,

HNCP

#dream #lucid dreaming #aura aesthetic #radical love #self love #love #spiritual awakening #imagination #creative inspiration #artists on tumblr #digital artist #manifesting #manifesation #self actualization #programming

[vicariousanti]

two things

i'm realizing that i need a love that feels active. intentional. with all of my core friends in my life, regardless if we talk almost everyday or every few months—when we chat? when we communicate? we are engaged (for the most part.)

i like to feel digested. savored. i don't like to feel consumed. i don't like to be associated with a feeling of hunger. i don't desire the feeling of tolerance—not necessarily in a negative way. but just...

i recognize i'm paradoxical in that way. because i am also hesitant. terrified, afraid. and so, i also suppress a lot or don't share a lot too. a lot of that is rooted in the fear of being seen. being seen = possibility of danger. discomfort. a lot of that is rooted in the fear that i'm indigestible. a lot of that is rooted in the fear that when people *do* digest me, they don't take the time to savor me. i am simply just another flavor passing through. it's "mm. tastes sweet." i would like a "mm... i'm getting some cinnamon. peach? apricot maybe? creamy. tender. it tastes pleasant, fruitful. pleasing. but maybe, i need to taste more to be sure."

part of my fear recognizes that i will never be anything but just 'sweet' to some. and more than that, to others

love. love is fucking messy. it is complicated, and it is messy. this is the difference between radical love, active love, vs. love that is passive

passive love is easier. it requires a scooch, a "let me get by you real quick." passive doesn't have to equate to easy. it just means that there is little to no resistance. little to no action. you know what you know. and maybe, sometimes you don't know.

radical love is, redefining love outside of what the masses have told us. that love should be easy, passive. or it should be extreme, suffering. there is a middle

radical love means retrying, again + again. recognizing when to stop trying. the beauty of honesty & action. work, action. on the ground work. not simply in your head. it requires sacrifice. intentional!!! sacrifice. a collaboration of world-building. referenced to ismatu: what does your inner-world look like? what does mine look like? and what world are we working to achieve together?

radical love is expansive, it's more than just you and me. i need love like that

#personal #radical love

[thedarksideofthesuns]

moodboard of my current mood and vibe

#moodboard #collage #vibe curation #frutiger aero #ethereal #sighswoon #sotce #divine #woman #girlblog #girl blunt #100 #mental health #girlhood #fashion #love #radical love #body of water