For those who don’t know, I live in Israel. I grew up in the States and moved here last century (in the 90’s). Life here is like life anywhere, I suppose. I get up in the morning, get my kids ready for school, put in a day’s work around the house and with my scrapbooking supply store.
What sets life in the Middle East apart from life anywhere else? Terrorism. And if you haven’t heard or missed the news yesterday, an Arab contruction worker decided to take the lives of Jewish Israelis by plowing his bulldozer into as many cars and people that he could. Sadly, many were injured. But even more tragic – of the four people who died, three of them were with their infants and the babies survived while the parents perished.
It’s painful to hear about such atrocities in the world. But they exist. And in my sadness, I got to thinking. How can scrapbooking heal the wounds and tame my temper that I’ve been feeling since this whole thing happened? And then, it occurred to me…
I’m going to make a very special album. I want to call it the People of Israel album. Randomly, I want to snap pictures of people where ever I go and journal about the terror. I don’t need to photograph actual victims of terror because anyone and everyone is a victim or a potential victim. At any moment, it could happen to me, or the guy down the street. So, I’ve decided to snap a pic of that guy down the street while journaling the facts and details of the terrorism that takes place here.
It may seem like a morbid book… but I think it’s empowering. I could write about the great things that people do in their daily lives while knowing that terror is a mere step away from them.
Scrapbooking has a remarkable ability to heal wounds, calm rampant hearts and save a dying soul. The freedom of creative expression without rules and guidelines while journaling the emotional manifestations of pain can be one of the most uplifting experiences. And it’s cheaper than therapy!
So, this is my contribution to the pain and hurt of all the families who suffer from terrorism. A tribute to life in Israel — overcoming the fear while creating a stable, decent and normal life for ourselves and our families.
I think everyone should use scrapbooking as a tool to heal. A way to remove the “darkness” within us so we can shine our best smiles everyday. Keep that in mind while you’re scrapbooking your next layout. Scrapbooking isn’t always about the joys of life… it can be about the sorrows as well used like a shoulder to cry on.
Happy Scrappin’!
We may define therapy as a search for value in scrapbook.
I have to say that I am glad you wrote this post. It lets me know that you and your family are safe. That is a blessing. I must have watched those news clips a dozen times and felt such sadness. Why do we live in a world where hate dominates our minds and souls. It is hard to find truth and forgiveness when people choose violence and destruction.
I don’t think your book sounds morbid at all. I think it celebrates people who day by day choose to keep walking in light for the sake of the country which they love. It takes great courage to write about hardship. We can all easily scrapbook kids, flowers, holidays, and family because it is joyful and warm.
It’s not easy to write about struggles or trials. It makes us vulnerable. It makes us put our guard down. We don’t want others to see that we might fear something that is around us.
I don’t think there is any greater tribute that you could make to and for Israel than to scrapbook who she is through her people. I think it will be beautiful. I hope you share some of your written thoughts with the rest of us.
To all of you in Israel, I will pray that you and your families stay safe and that Israel remains the crowned jewel of the world. I believe that, truly.
We have high speed internet set up at our new house so I can e-mail from home now! From the other side of the world, I promise to be bold and courageous in what I write and scrap. I want to inspire others to continue the long and winding road.
I will scrap in hope and truth this week.
Hi I encouraged you in what you are doing, I have always found scrapbooking to be a healing process in many different ways.
For yourself if you need encouragement we have started a not for profit foundation in Australia. I have a section online for encouraging photos and stories. If you happen to have something that may fit in this area we would love to share it with others.
Have a blessed day.
http://www.theencouragementfoundation.com.au