Bambi's Thoughts
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/tamara-lich-chris-barber-arrested-ottawa-1.6355960
Bambi has voted for the Liberal Party of Canada most of the times of her Canadian life. She has also voted for the New Democratic Party (NDP) as well. Although that was only a few years ago, it seems like a lifetime. There is nothing liberal nor democratic about what is happening in Canada today.
How sad. How absurd. How non-Canadian!
We learned today that Mr. Trudeau accused Ms. Melissa Lantsman of being anti-semite during the Emergencies Act debate. The absurd irony is that this Canadian MP (Thornhill, Ontario) happens to be Jewish (https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-conservative-swastikas-1.6354970).
Bambi stands with Ms. Melissa Lantsman. Mr. Trudeau owes her an apology indeed.
Mind you, he also owes us, Canadians, an apology for insulting our intelligence…
Thank you, Mr. Rex Murphy for your EXCELLENT article!
As for Mr. Trudeau et al., they should be ashamed of themselves… We are ashamed of them and of their peers who support them just for the sake of power. They are making Canada the laughingstock of the world!
When can we have our country back please?! Bambi misses the Canada she immigrated to in 1990… precisely because of freedom of expression. The Canada of peace, tolerance, and even love… Not the current Canada of authoritarianism, of the unmeasured Emergency Act, of censorship (e.g., Bill C-36, extrajudicial bank account freezes, etc.), and of empty yet suffocating ideologies.
—
Earlier post on the topic:
The 2022 edition of the Arab Basketball Championship just ended in Dubai and guess which country is the winner!? Yes, it is Lebanon (a first on top of that)!!!
Bravo to the Lebanese team (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Arab_Basketball_Championship)! Finally, happy news for the “land of the Cedars”! “Mabrouk”!!!
Here is the piece of good news in French in L’Orient Le Jour: https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1290931/le-liban-sacre-pour-la-premiere-fois-champion-arabe-des-nations.html
To conclude this brief post, here is the Mabrouk song from Bambi to the Champions!
In Lebanese-Arabic, “Byeb’a Nas” means there will always remain people (to count on).
One thing is sure: Life is much more beautiful when we feel well surrounded.
Indeed, even in hardships, we can always count on a smile, on an extended hand, on a kind word…
Yes, there is always room for genuine, unexpected support and even lasting friendships.
This is the positive message of this joyful song shot in a charming Lebanese mountain village called Douma (only 80 km away from Beirut).
The video is a tribute to Douma’s residents: its lovely kids, seniors, families, people.
What a nice song originally meant as an ode to hope for the people of Lebanon… It also shares the same hope with anyone facing adversity anywhere in our world.
Thank you Ms. Abeer Nehme and Mr. Rayan Habre for having joined your artistic forces. Bambi loves the product of your collaboration!
—
An older post on Ms. Abeer Nehme:
Thank you Wion for this coverage… Mr. Trudeau is showing the world his true colours.
There is nothing like the voice of Fairuz in life…
There is nothing like love in life [life is meaningless without love], especially love with a big L that sadly seems to be missing in our increasingly divided societies, countries, and world.
We hear about news of imminent wars here and there (e.g., Ukraine).
We observe intolerance and authoritarianism around us.
We hopelessly watch countries in free economic fall since October 17, 2019 (i.e., Lebanon). There was no love, and surely no respect, when the theft of people’s savings, pensions, and dreams took place over decades. There is still no respect as nothing serious seems to be undertaken yet, by Lebanon’s political leaders, to start re-dressing the tragic situation.
In other places, including Canada, is there still room for love in our hearts to grow in it, hopefully bloom, and from there be transmitted to others who share humanity (+ citizenship) with us? Bambi is asking and thinking of ALL others, especially those we do not want to truly listen to and respect their different perspectives. Why should we dismiss them, vilify them, and perceive them as traitors simply because they do not share our own opinions?
Bambi is saying the above in general, that is regardless of the political topic of the day (now, it may be this issue… Tomorrow, it would be another subject).
Why are we allowing ourselves to be divided to that extent?
Why should our hearts be that far apart? Why don’t we simply re-commit to Love again?
Anyhow, Bambi will stop her blahblahblaha now (out of love for your eyes, ears, and time!). Below you can read the lyrics of the song in both English and Arabic, if you wish.
Thank you Fairuz! Thank you Gibran Khalil Gibran!
Gibran Khalil Gibran (1883-1931)’s poetry on love from The Prophet (a poem, available publicly, taken from (https://poets.org/poem/love-8
“Then said Almitra, Speak to us of Love.
And he raised his head and looked upon the people, and there fell a stillness upon them. And with a great voice he said:
When love beckons to you, follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden.
For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,
So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.
Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself
He threshes you to make your naked.
He sifts you to free you from your husks.
He grinds you to whiteness.
He kneads you until you are pliant;
And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God’s sacred feast.
All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life’s heart.
But if in your heart you would seek only love’s peace and love’s pleasure,
Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love’s threshing-floor,
Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.
Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love.
When you love you should not say, “God is in my heart,” but rather, “I am in the heart of God.”
And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love’s ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.”
Arabic lyrics now…
2. المحبة…
حينئذٍ قالت المترا: حدثنا عن المحبة.
فقال:
إذا المحبة أومت إليكم فاتبعوها,
وإن كانت مسالكها صعبة متحدرة.
إذا ضمتكم بجناحيها فأطيعوها,
وإن جرحكم السييف المستور بين ريشها.
إذا المحبة خاطبتكم فصدقوها,
وإن عطل صوتها أحلامكم وبددها كما تجعل الريح الشمالية البستان قاعاً صفصفاً.
***
لأنه كما أن المحبة تكللكم, فهي أيضا تصلبكم.
وكما تعمل على نموكم, هكذا تعلمكم وتستأصل الفاسد منكم.
وكما ترتفع إلى أعلى شجرة حياتكم فتعانق أغصانها اللطيفة المرتعشة أمام وجه الشمس,
هكذا تنحدر إلى جذورها الملتصقة بالتراب وتهزها في سكينة الليل.
***
المحبة تضمكم إلى قلبها كأغمار حنطة.
المحبة على بيادرها تدرسكم لتظهر عريكم.
المحبة تغربلكم لتحرركم من قشوركم.
المحبة تطحنكم فتجعلكم كالثلج أنقياء.
المحبة تعجنكم بدموعها حتى تلينوا,
ثم تعدكم لنارها المقدسة, لكي تصيروا خبزاً مقدساً يقرّب على مائدة الرب المقدسة.
كل هذا تصنعه بكم لكي تدركوا أسرار قلوبكم, فتصبحوا بهذا الإدراك جزءاً من قلب الحياة.
غير أنكم إذا خفتم, وقصرتم سعيكم على الطمأنبنة واللذة في المحبة.
فالأجدر بكم أن تستروا عريكم وتخرجوا من بيدر المحبة إلى العالم البعيد حيثما تضحكون, ولكن ليس كل ضحككم; وتبكون, ولكن ليس كل ما في ماقيكم من الدموع.
المحبة لا تعطي إلا ذاتها, المحبة لا تأخذ إلا من ذاتها.
لا تملك المحبة شيئاً, ولا تريد أن أحد يملكها.
لأن المحبة مكتفية بالمحبة.
***
أما أنت إذا أحببت فلا تقل: “أن الله في قلبي”, بل قل بالأحرى: “أنا في قلب الله”.
ولا يخطر لك البتة أنك تستطيع أن تتسلط على مسالك المحبة, لأن المحبة إن رأت فيك استحقاقاً لنعمتها, تتسلط هي على مسالكك.
والمحبة لا رغبة لها إلا في أن تكمل نفسها.
ولكن, إذا أحببت, وكان لا بد من أن تكون لك رغبات خاصة بك, فلتكن هذه رغباتك:
أن تذوب وتكون كجدول متدفق يشنف آذان الليل بأنغامه.
أن تخبر الآلام التي في العطف المتناهي.
أن يجرحك إدراكك الحقيقي للمحبة في حبة قلبك, وأن تنزف دماؤك وأنت راض مغتبط.
أن تنهض عند الفجر بقلب مجنح خفوق, قتؤدي واجب الشكر ملتمساً يوم محبة آخر.
أن تستريح عند الظهيرة وتناخي نفسك بوجد المحبة.
أن تعود إلى منزلك عند المساء شاكراً: فتنام حينئذ والصلاة لأجل من أحببت تتردد في قلبك, وأنشودة الحمد والثناء مرتمسة على شفتيك.
Today, Bambi read the words of a religious and wise man in Beirut in An Nahar (https://www.annahar.com/arabic/). His name is Metropolitan Bishop Elias Audi of the Beirut Greek Orthodox Church). He said: “The government must be the mother and the shelter, not the tyrant“.
Of course, Metropolitan Audi was talking about those governing his own country.
However, Bambi could not help not to wonder to which extent his words filled with truth and wisdom do not apply to each country of our world, including us in Canada?
Bambi is thinking of the consequences of all the following observations: ruling governments too disconnected from their own people, politicians too much into ideologies and less into practical, citizen-based governance, and/or leaders who seem either unwilling or incapable of assembling their people and ultimately of uniting their country, etc.
What can other countries, including ours, learn from tiny bankrupt and corrupt Lebanon? The latter is sadly systemically corrupt at all levels: Morally, military, financially, and economically. Yet, its people still believe in democracy through elections. They want a change. They want to live!
Is there a place for principles and patriotism still in the Lebanese government and in all governments?
Do we still cherish patriotism, as a genuine love for one’s country, without anyone calling it racism or supremacy of any sort or colour.
Patriotism is all about love.
Pure love at any time and perhaps more so at the evening of Saint Valentine’s day :).
Why aren’t we allowed to love and respect ourselves anymore in order to truly love our country? And be loved in return?
Why should we risk being censored (or cancelled) for expressing this love and/or for demanding whatever legitimate demands, without being vilified.
Why are only causes approved by our governments allowed and others systemically dismissed or repressed?
So many whys… Bambi will stop here, but her reflection will continue.
For those outside Canada who do not know, flags at federal institutions are still at half-mast for months now. Here are two articles that explain the context: https://nationalpost.com/opinion/rex-murphy-on-flags-and-climate-trudeau-rules-by-fiat; https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/30/canada-trudeau-orders-flags-lowered-for-indigenous-children).
As reported by 961, “their letter pleads for President Macron to push for justice and accountability for those responsible for the Beirut Port Explosion, as it has been over a year and a half without accountability“.
Bambi’s heart was moved by the words (in English) of Elias’ mother (LCBI Instagram in the 961). My God know how to comfort her soul… As she said once in an earlier interview, she is alive (she survived her injury) yet she is dead inside (she lost her son two weeks after the blast. He suffered from severe head injuries).
Bambi also learned from this 961 and the National (https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/music/the-lyrical-legacy-of-elias-el-khoury-teen-beirut-blast-victim-remembered-through-his-music-1.1226332) that Elias’ dream was to become a rapper. Wow!
Indeed, Bambi was able to find an earlier 961 article, two older tweets by Mr. Elias Fayad, and most importantly the published music of Elias postmortem, thanks to Anghami!
Now, to borrow the words of the 961 journalists informing us of what is taking place in Beirut, Bambi will cut and past parts of the article above here for you:
“Just yesterday, on Thursday, families of the victims conducted yet another protest, demanding an effective investigation.
They threatened to escalate their movements in the street if those in charge will continue to allow deliberate obstruction and delay of the investigation. They eventually broke into the Justice Palace.
These protests by the families, friends, and activists have been ongoing since August 8th, 2020, a day in which the people unleashed their anger at the negligence of the ruling body, after 4 days of mourning.
They were met with violence and oppression by the military ordered to squash their protest.
The Beirut Blast was historically catastrophic at all levels. Hundreds were killed, thousands were injured, some of whom have been maimed for life, and the destruction was massive in the capital.
That is to add to what resulted of severe mental illness, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder many are currently suffering from in Lebanon. “
Finally, to conclude this post, Bambi will say the following:
(1) She would like to refer you to an older post honouring Elias (shown further below). May justice be finally served for him and for his bereaved family and friends. Bambi sends them her heart and continuous solidarity;
(2) As far as Mr. Macron is concerned, Bambi has an old post about his humanity (shown below). She remains grateful to him personally and to France, like Beirutis and the Lebanese people. As a reminder, he travelled to Beirut and hugged Tamara (who lost her mom) and many traumatized people on the streets (not a single Lebanese politician talked to them!). This being said, Bambi now hopes that President Macron and his peers (i.e., The Bidens, the European Union, and all the elites of the world who follow each other, including our own Mr. Trudeau, even if Canada is a small international player… ) will not forget tiny Lebanon before finalizing any nuclear deal with Iran; and
(3) As a last final musical note, Bambi will re-post this very MOVING Sintineddi song by Ms. Pascale Ojeil and Mr. Jean Charles Papi, dedicating it to Elias as well as all the other 200+ victims who lost their lives …. of course, without forgetting about the 5000+ injured (some still undergoing treatment— hi Maya?!), and the 4.5 traumatized residents. Indeed, as journalist Roula Douglas tweeted on August 7, 2020: “this explosion felt like the 15 years of civil war condensed in a few seconds“.
—
