Looking Good in Green

The events and turmoil in Iran during these past few weeks have had an intense and profound effect on many of us. Although we are all far away physically from Iran, we are closer than ever in spirit. One thing that touched me especially was witnessing so many beautiful and courageous women and men, young and old, walking the streets of Tehran and demanding justice.

While watching a clip from one of these demonstrations in Iran, I saw so many amazing women wrapped in green shouting for freedom.  I noticed how the courage, passion, and the strength of these mothers, daughters, sisters, and wives enhanced their beauty.  As Maya Angelou the great American poet and author, wrote in one of her poems “The woman warrior who is armed with wit and courage will be among the first to celebrate victory.  As Eleanor Roosevelt said “To bring the women of the world together in order to receive and give inspiration in the area of self-esteem, empowerment, purpose, passion and personal prosperity while enhancing the world by being brave woman who come from the heart.”  

I admire all these wonderful women who are out in the streets side by side the men and demonstrating and demanding their rightful justice.  However, in the mist of all this injustice and sorrow, I noticed something positive.  Most of these women have been shouting from their self worth and their ability to bring protection and peace for their sons, brothers, husbands, and fathers.  This quality has been hidden in many of us for so long and to see it burst like a fragrant flower in a summer morning is very refreshing and positive. I would like to end my article with some quotes from some amazing people who have influenced my life.

Mohandas Gandhi:
You must be the change you wish to see in the world.

Abraham Lincoln:
Freedom is the last, best hope of earth.

Epictetus:
Freedom is the right to live as we wish.
 
Antoine de Saint-Exupery:
I know but one freedom and that is the freedom of the mind.

Franklin D. Roosevelt:
In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved.

Khalil Gibran:
Beauty is not in the face: beauty is a light in the heart.

Rumi:
Let the beauty we love be what we do.