At the end of the day on Friday, the 13th of November, I called a client to discuss her mortgage. Before I was able to tell her anything she blurted out, “Did you call your daughter in Paris?” That is how and when I first learned about the massacre. Our daughter Alona, who lives in Paris, was in New York on business on this day. Alona was naturally shaken by the devastating news, but is OK!
When events like this happen far from home, it is very difficult to completely relate to the scope of the tragedy. Every morning when I open the newspaper, there are articles upon articles about how many people are killed or injured in different parts of the world. Would it change anything if I did not look through the paper, as though I’m on vacation, when I do not typically read the news? Of course it would not. On Sunday, my wife Elfa and I went to see Steven Spielberg’s latest film, “Bridge of Spies”. When attorney James D. Donovan (played by Tom Hanks) asks Russian spy Rudolf Abel (played by Mark Rylance):”Don’t you worry?” He answers, “Does it help?”
Many people primarily worry about the unknown; things that are either real or imaginative. They often project the worst outcome just reading something in the paper. When Palestinian terrorists attacked and killed Israeli civilians with kitchen knives last month, the population started to carry guns, in self-defense. Israelis also attacked and killed an innocent person, whom they suspected to be a terrorist. Unfortunately, too often we read in the news about police killing innocent African Americans. Yes, Black Lives Matter. But can we stop the violence? Maybe it sounds naïve, but one thought of how not to attach ourselves to negativity is to rather do or read something that would bring a smile on our faces. Over the weekend, I was out on the streets photographing, when I encountered a young French woman, who came to San Francisco with her personal project. She travels the world asking strangers on the streets what makes them happy. Sometimes she just carries a big yellow sign that reads, “Smile”. She photographs people and posts their images and responses on her blog. We all have choices. If you can, choose to smile.
P.S. In spite of the tragedy in Paris and other parts of the world, for many in San Francisco life continues like nothing happened. People are overwhelmed with their own small and big issues. As long as we keep smiling to life, like people I’ve encountered on that day, most of the pains will heal.
Do Not Keep Me As A Secret!
Smile And Please SHARE It With A Friend!
Cheers,
