One Word, Two Ways: Understanding

Lost in Translation is truly one of my favorites.  It’s one of a few movies I can watch over and over and still continue to find so satisfying.  When we picked the word Understanding for this week, I couldn’t stop hearing Bill Murry’s voice in my head singing “What’s so funny ’bout peace, love and understanding” in the karaoke scene. The video quality here isn’t the best but you get the jist.

P.S. Did you see the NYTimes interview with Billy Murray earlier this week? Read it here.

When I went to Israel, I became somewhat obsessed with the conflict there. I would talk to anyone who would talk to me openly about their experience and perspective. Due to its many layers and years, the conflict between Israel and Palestine is known for its complexity. While I was there, my cousin recommended that I read the book The Lemon Tree: An Arab, A Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East.  If you have any interest, I strongly recommend this book as well.  It has given me a broader understanding of both sides of this ongoing and ever present conflict.