I am Woman, I am Strength

As I wake to the sound of silence around me, I am reminded that this is yet another day to try to move towards my own enlightenment. A born Jew but a practicing Buddhist, it is important that each day I recognize the suffering inherent in the human race, understand that I may cause or add to such and work towards my own recognition and awakening. This may sound inherently simple but it is truly one of the most difficult journeys we are on; how do we become "Buddha" when we are faced with unending conflict and pain especially for women across the globe? My women friends in Saudi Arabia cheer the simple fact that they may vote or drive when this has been a right of men for years. My female friends in Palestine and Israel try to engage across walls that are built of concrete and centuries of hate and anger. My strong African sisters fight the gendercide that occurs time and again in conflict ridden areas and dream of a world that will allow their own daughters to truly feel free. We, as women, must recognize that we are only as strong as the sister who stands shoulder to shoulder with us; we can only find change in the beautiful faces and clear eyes of one another. The Buddha sat under the bodhi tree refusing to move until he found the answer to the question he sought; we must hold one another and refuse to let go until we find the world we dream of. The Buddha saw that each of us could find enlightenment once we recognized our own suffering and the causes for it; we must look at each other and recognize that we are one. I am woman, like you and together we are women of strength.