365 Degrees

A Nowruz Celebration

Nowruz (Persian New Year) is probably my single favorite holiday. It's a celebration of Spring, renewal, and love. It doesn't require gifts, it's totally secular, and its most important  traditions fill the house with light and fragrance. It's pretty perfect, as holidays go.

Of course, when Iran is in the kind of turmoil it's in today -- crippling sanctions, horrific inflation, and an oppressive, deeply corrupt government -- the joy of Nowruz is somewhat clouded over by the knowledge that people "back home" are really suffering.

Still, I set up my Haft Sinn, gathered a small group of loved ones, and made the traditional meal. As the two Americans, two Israelis, one Kiwi, and I made a toast to the new year, I couldn't help but make a wish:

I hope, so deeply, that within the next few years,  it will actually be possible for the same six people to sit down to just such a meal together in Iran. 

With that, I say, Eideh Shoma  Mobarak, and may you have a wonderful year ahead!

Sunset over Auckland City

 

Nothing profound to say tonight. Just thinking a lot about the intersection of personal beliefs, professional requirements, advocacy and capitalism. 

While none of these is necessarily exclusive, I feel like I'm toeing a very fine line that I'll soon be required to make a decision about. 

What does the image above have anything to do with it? Well, I guess it's mainly because vacations give me the mental breathing room to start thinking through these issues. And also, because dusk falling over Auckland is just so damn beautiful.