I slept and dreamt that life was joy.

I awoke and saw that life was service.

I acted and behold, service was joy.

~ Rabindranath Tagore

Friends, we have so much to be grateful for, though it’s difficult to enjoy in the context of the Gaza genocide and the daily attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank.

But we are not helpless. “I am master of my fate…captain of my soul,” William Henley said (Invictus).

•  We are responsible for countering injustice however we can. This is not optional—it’s our moral responsibility.

Historically, in the early days of a crisis generated through oppression by the powerful against the marginalized, we–those seeking justice—are by definition the weaker party.

•  Rallying moral power and transforming it into the material strength needed to reverse oppression and injustice takes time. Time to convince others, to gain traction and momentum, to sway our political leaders and institutions.

There’s no guarantee of success. But the oppressed inherently have a key moral advantage in defending the marginalized and advocating for justice.

• In this time of weakness when we feel alone, our strength comes from our faith in our Divine and our conviction in justice–enacted by focusing our efforts around our moral advantage.

Thankfulness comes from the knowledge of serving a just cause with friends and comrades who share this belief in justice. Alhamdulillah.

Happy Thanksgiving!