Ashley Judd Instagram – I write knowing I will not get this exactly right. It is, however, important to start somewhere. It won’t please everyone. It also cannot address and hold everything. The very format is limited and flawed, especially in a situation like this, in such extraordinary harm. This is not a political statement. It is held in hope that we may perhaps see beyond labels and division. We are all children of Abraham and Sarah. There is no hierarchy to human life. We all suckle, thirst, rejoice, desire. We are all vulnerable in our need for safety, belonging, mutual trust, and our profound interdependence. I have lamented the demonization of all brothers, sisters, siblings, the global industrial military complex, the violent rhetoric. And my own part in it all. Violence begins at the level of thought. Including mine, and yours. Wow, did I say that? Audacious. What can I do? What can you do, holding this phone? We can try to understand and eventually endeavor to love our enemies. Unpopular. Difficult. And a divine commandment. This does not mean we tolerate unacceptable behavior, or that righteous anger a “bad” emotion. Righteous anger teaches us our boundaries. We can love our enemies, hold people accountable, and prosecute at the same time. Of course, I want a ceasefire. Of course, I want antisemitism, finally, to end. Stop the slaughter and starving of Gazans. Free Israeli hostages. End to the brutalization of women & girls’ bodies. How can I contribute to that, from here? I start with my own thoughts and attitudes. I interrogate my own contempt, bias, disgust, & practices that divide me from myself and my fellows. I start with the Dignity Index, my spiritual practice, reading texts from the world’s wisdom traditions, and ask for God to do for me what I cannot do for myself: to love my enemies and people with whom I differ so much. This doesn’t mean I convert to their beliefs. It means I abandon my hatred for the sake of something bigger than all of us. When I get to my edge, I ask to be softened so I can really witness other’s humanity, their hunger, their love for their families, and be recruited to our common welfare. Peace be with you.