This music post starts by offering Diana and her loved ones a Christmas song. Thanks to Ms. Marilyn Naaman for her unique voice.
For the pleasure of Bambi’s own ears as well as yours, if you are interested dear readers, she now shares with you a beautiful Greek Orthodox Epiphany hymn, in both Arabic and Greek, performed by the The Choir of Eparchy of Tripoli in Northern Lebanon. The latter is part of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch.
Bambi dedicates this meaningful chant to her dad, Antoine, whose faith has been a source of inspiration to her throughout her life… Thank you ❤️.
Happy Epiphany to those who have celebrated it today!
“Most countries in the region remained silent after the US coup in Venezuela—with the exception of Israel, which warmly congratulated its American ally, and Iran, which strongly condemned it.
Yet the region could be directly affected by this event, and for several reasons.
The first is that the attitude of the American superpower could encourage local predators: Israel, Iran, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
While the Middle East has always been a jungle, this characteristic could be reinforced in such an international configuration.
The second is that by taking control of the country with the largest oil resources in the world, Donald Trump could threaten in the long term the position of the Gulf countries and their special relationship with the United States.
And the third point is that the Iranian regime, which has been facing protests for over a week now, could well be the target of the adventurism of Donald Trump and his ally Benjamin Netanyahu.
While it is perfectly understandable that some are now celebrating the fall of dictator Maduro, the weakening of the “axis of resistance” and the fact that Khamenei could be next on the list, it is important to understand what this “new world” means for the region, but also for countries like Lebanon which, without the protection of a foreign patron, will have a very hard time surviving in this jungle.”
A picture taken by Bambi in the downtown of Beirut, Lebanon, in December, 2019.
There is something soothing about life.
Indeed, with its repetitive seasons, life always goes on.
Yes, life keeps going on in both happy and adverse times.
Life keeps moving on after the death of our loved ones.
Life will also surely keep moving on after our own end, despite anyone’s sorrow.
When someone’s life is meant to be/continue to be, nothing prevents it; neither danger nor earlier risk in the prenatal period.
Of course, this is not the case when early or later prenatal stages of what would/could have been life are not compatible with full-blown life, postpartum.
Bearing the above in mind, this post, which is not a reflection about the natural process of life and death, focuses on the choice of life; despite the concurrent option of despair and even death, in times of adversity—both personal and collective.
To begin with, what is the nature of this force within us that keeps driving us to choose life daily and at different stages of our lives, regardless of any adversity or of the meaning we give to our existence? It is fascinating, isn’t it?
Regardless of circumstances, especially dark ones, how can we learn to keep welcoming honouring, listening to, and enjoying life force, with any resulting attitude or behaviour?
What role does introspection—capacity to look within—play in consciously choosing and embracing the will to live? Live as an innate drive to survive, but also as a chosen force to process human experience, cope or grieve, grow, thrive, and flourish.
What role does our naturally changing circumstances play in all this? Or rather what meaning do we want to give to those circumstances? In what ways do we want to interact with certain elements from our circumstances in harmony with our life values?
Of note, some elements of our context—or rather our transactions or relationships with them—may be nourishing for us. Yet others may be limiting and even potentially destructive. Same for the elements or characteristics that belong to us. They can be nourishing to others. They can also be potentially harmful. The latter are not the responsibility of others. They are not even excused by any circumstances. These personal elements—attitude or behaviours—can adversely impact others while being self-destructive in the long-term, whether consciously or not. So what to do about them?
To conclude this post filled with questions, may we all be lucid while being as psychologically flexible as possible to self-reflect, as needed, and to navigate life and relationships—with ourselves as well as others—in the most authentic way possible.
Thanks to Lebanon-based An Nahar (Arabic content) and L’Orient Le Jour (French content) for accurately covering what is unfolding in Iran. Bambi has been reading their headlines and updates for a few days now (https://tinyurl.com/35kwha9z; https://tinyurl.com/yc6jmszp).
What a sharp contrast with the apparent disinterest in the Western media, especially Canadian mainstream media. Bravo to Mr. Ezra Levant from Rebel News to pointing this to our attention.
Why the silence? To support an Islamist regime or out of hate for Mr. Trump who expressed his support to the people of Iran (whether it would be concrete or not, sincere or not)? We can dislike Mr. Trump or Iran’s enemies. Yet, we can be fair or sensitive toward the cause of the people of Iran. At least Mr Trump threatened this awful regime to stop killing the innocents as it did in the past again and again.
Bambi has always expressed her solidarity with the beautiful people of Iran. Today, more than ever, she wants to send them her solidarity, along with a Persian love song.
Upon waking up this morning, Bambi took the time to read the news, looking for cute news such as the first Canadian newborn of 2026 or, any update about Lebanon or what is unfolding in Iran or other hot places of the world.
Instead of the more expected news, she was shocked and deeply saddened to read the headlines in La Presse (https://tinyurl.com/yypjm97p), about an accidental disaster at a bar of a Swiss ski resort.
A horrible fire in the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana afflicted a very large number of teenagers, possibly also adult tourists, and the bar’s staff in the most cruel and absurd ways.
Indeed, about 40 people were killed by the fire. Some are still missing and around 115 others are critically injured. They are being treated in different hospitals across Switzerland and even in France (https://tinyurl.com/bdb2c9p9).
May God know how to soothe the nervous system of the traumatized survivors, help heal the injured victims, empower the grieving families and friends, and comfort all the loved ones of those missing and injured. Lots of courage to everyone, including the first responders, good Samaritans (i.e., some teenagers), local community, country, continent, and/or citizens from other places around the world.
There are no words possible in the face of such tragedy. Thankfully, there is Mr. Gagon’s music of “Chanson sans mots” [A Song Without Lyrics] to speak when words fail us. May each note of his wordless song send soothing vibes of love and solidarity across ocean and land… all the way to the small Crans-Montana municipality.
The New Year is a beautiful transition of life, especially because it is shared by all of us whomever we are, religion we believe in or not, or wherever we are.
The transition from 2025 to 2026 is no different than any other transition of life.
In as much as we care to send our best wishes to loved ones and we hope for a change for the best for all, the truth of the matter is that we are at the centre of these transitions. Indeed, we remain the same from New Year eve to January the first. The world also remains the same with its misery and beauty, violence and peace, poverty and prosperity.
In other terms, despite the good wishes and exchange of positive vibes, there is no magic change that can happen to us without our own agency in action, either influencing our context or responding to it in the wisest possible way for us.
If we take a resolution for ourselves, making it specific, simple, and achievable ensures its success over time. If we decide to take a vacation from any resolution, may we be free as a bird and happy as a child who feels love can be.
Transitions are usually touchy moments to navigate because they involve change.
Change can be intimidating for some of us. Change is yet more easily welcome by some of us. We often have mixed feelings about change ahead and this is OK.
Self-compassion and compassion, self-care and care, love and support are key ingredients for any transition, especially this joyful one in which we aspire for a better well-being and a more loving world.
No, Mr. Naim Qassem, Hezbollah disarmament is not a foreign plan, even it also serves the interests of Israel, along with the USA. More specifically, this disarmament is not “an Israeli-American plan” (https://tinyurl.com/2w4v46e9). If it seems like it, it is because you have apparently lost the current absurd war that you started on October 8, 2023.
Stated differently, your militia group had poked the sleeping neighbouring bear for an entire year, inducing fear in innocent Israeli citizens residing in villages along the South border. The Israeli bear re-transformed into an occupying monster, through the skies with its drones and missiles and by land with its soldiers who returned to Lebanon after 24 years. Now the south is massively destroyed and still in war, What a tragedy.
As a reminder, the current Israeli-Hezbollah war was preceded by a bloody July 2006 war. So, for God’s sake Mr. Qassem, stop insulting the intelligence of your fellow Lebanese citizens by stating that disarmament of your militia is not in the interest of their country. Disarmament is overdue. It is a must and it is 100 percent in the interest of Lebanon.
Your fellow Lebanese citizens, along with all their loved ones abroad, are fed up of senseless wars of others in the beautiful Land of the Cedars. They surely deserve and expect safety and even peace, along with prosperity. They want internal stability, along with external harmony. Both can be envisioned and ideally achieved. Why not?
Instead of endless wars, how about a Lebanon without ANY religious- or ideologically-based group abusing power over others? How about a Lebanon FINALLY put first with a rule of law above everyone? How about a functional country for all in the true sense of the term, which includes a single (hopefully strong) army with legal weapons while all the other Lebanese groups— including yours—ONLY acting as political forces?
A few days ago, Bambi received a package with her name written on it in a particular way. She suspected a gift from either her sister Roula (from Beirut) or her friend Joëlle (from Florida). They both call her that way from time to time : ). Well, the gift turned out to be from Roula Azar-Douglas and the package went under the Christmas tree while Bambi focused on her intensive work.
On Christmas evening, about an hour before midnight, she could not wait anymore :). She opened the mysterious package. To her surprise, she discovered the most beautiful and significant gift ever for several reasons shared below, in both words and pictures, with Roula’s consent.
First, despite her busy schedule and many responsibilities, Roula took the time to think of her sister abroad. Very generously and tenderly, she sent her a meaningful gift for which she worked hard to ensure its timely arrival by Christmas. Here is the story of this gift journey, which Bambi learned about yesterday.
A few days ago, Roula and her spouse went to the theatre in Beirut, Lebanon. When they entered the place, they saw a young artist (or someone on his behalf?) selling his creation: puzzles of Beirut (https://tinyurl.com/msf69xz4), wow!
Of note, Roula knows how much puzzles mean to her sister. Along with reading, blog writing, and walking [when she is not too lazy :)], it is her favourite hobby. And what to say about Beirut, her birth place that she loves dearly? Indeed, during a couple of her last trips to the Middle East, she inquired about puzzles featuring landscapes of Beirut or Lebanon. She was systematically been told by a few shop owners the following: Sorry, it does not exist… yet. Well, thanks to artist/filmmaker Carlos Mounir Haidamous, Lebanese art puzzles are now available. Of note, according to his website, this much talented young creator seems to have produced three art puzzles thus far: two of Beirut and one of Baalbeck (https://tinyurl.com/2tp65jx5).
To come back to Roula, how did she manage to mail this gift to Bambi in a timely manner? Well, she went to Liban/Lebanon Post to do so. Unfortunately, she encountered a frustrating bureaucratic obstacle: the employee she dealt with insisted on seeing the gift receipt. Roula who did not have a receipt explained to this person where she bought the puzzle from. She argued about it to no avail. Once back home, she searched for the contact of the young artist to ask him for a receipt. He kindly and efficiently offered a more practical solution, which went as follows: she sent the puzzle back to him, via “Toters” (a widely used delivery service in Lebanon) and she ordered a new one using his website. This platform made the delivery of the purchased puzzle possible. Bambi did indeed receive it in Atlantic Canada. It arrived via China, which explains why the package was covered with the Mandarin language.
The story shared above made Bambi’s gift even more precious in her eyes. Thanks to Mr. Carlos Haidamous’ agency, Roula’s diligence, and to China, for making Bambi’ day :)!
If you think Roula’s act and words of love are moving, as shown below, check her gift to her two sisters last Christmas (2024). It is featured in the last picture of this post. The funny anecdote then was that Roula’s package got buried under snow for a few days. Thanks to Louis for kindly “unsnowing” it on time before Christmas eve : ).
To conclude this post, many thanks Roula for being who you are and for your PRECIOUS gift. You have warmed Bambi’s heart. Merry Christmas. Joyeux Noël, “ma grande” : )! As you can guess, Bambi loves you beyond puzzle pieces and blog’s posts ❤️. Please trust that she will use you cover gift to frame Mr. Haidamous’ uplifting art puzzle of our beloved Beirut. Long live Lebanon. May love, peace, humanity, natural beauty, and talent prevail in the Land of Cedars. May God keep on protecting all of you there. Happy 2026!
A picture taken by Bambi on December 24, 2025.
A picture taken by Bambi on December 24, 2025.
A picture taken by Bambi on December 24, 2025.
A picture taken by Bambi on December 24, 2025.
A picture taken by Bambi on December 24, 2025.
A picture taken by Bambi on December 26, 2025. What a beautiful gift from Roula to her sisters, Rania and Bambi (last Christmas). Of note, all three of them have the same Christmas decoration. –May Robine’s loving memory be eternal–
Whether you happen to celebrate Christmas or not, whether you highlight the birth of baby Jesus now, later in January, or never, may the spirit of this magical season warm the heart of your inner child. With much love, Bambi wishes each one of you, dear readers, a very Merry and Magical Christmas season!
French and international singer, songwriter, and actress Édith Piaf was born in Paris on December 19, 1915. She died in Grasse on October 10, 1963 (https://tinyurl.com/528axvxh).
This post is a brief musical tribute for her GREAT talent. It is also an opportunity for Bambi to take a little break from intense work : ).
May Piaf’s memory be eternal.
May the BEAUTIFUL voice of Ms. Marie-Élaine Thibert keep being a delight to our ears and hearts.
As for you dear readers, Bambi hopes you are well!
