A Letter from Lebanon

By Ghiwa El Fakhry, Compassionate Listening Facilitator trainee

I led a practice group that included 12 participants from Lebanon, as well as a special friend, a Palestinian refugee living in a South Lebanon camp. We happily covered almost all of Lebanon’s governorates, sharing the diversity and beauty of the country from the north to the south, including Baalbeck/Hermel, Keserwan-Jbeil, and Beirut. Although the country is going through hard times, with almost everyone juggling two or three jobs to make ends meet, participants managed to carve out time for the Compassionate Listening practice group—even if it meant driving home from work at 6 pm while still managing to join the course. This group proved to be diverse in both geographical space and religious affiliation, yet we were bound by the heart. Compassionate Listening not only served as a skill but also as a means of heart-to-heart connection, a safe space in a country that has long been suffering.

Here is a letter I wrote to the group, reflecting on what we shared and what I learned with them:

Dear friends,

I’d love to share with you what I learned during these ten sessions with you all. (I was supposed to share this yesterday during the session, but time ran out—so I’m sharing it here with everyone. And for those who weren’t in the session yesterday, if you’d like to share what you learned or what you’re taking away from these gatherings, please feel free to do so.)

I learned to trust the journey... the timing… the group. I realized that in every session, the people who were meant to be present were present. Little by little, I started to separate the journey from the result or the destination.

I learned that the “worst” thing that could happen in a session is not knowing the answer or making a mistake. But then what? If we’re in a safe space, we shouldn't worry about not having the answer. And even if we're not in a safe space—do we always have to know? Do we always have to have a response or a comment for everything? This programming in my mind, this idea of “I must know,” or “I must always have an answer,” is really a fear of accepting that I don’t know everything. And so, I learned that it’s not a disaster. It’s important to understand where the gap is and keep going... not to give up, not to be afraid of not knowing—but to be more afraid of losing the curiosity for knowledge. And knowledge isn’t always in lessons or books—it lives in the wisdom of our hearts.

I’ve learned more and more that we grow and flourish within a community—and that the community will never be perfect. Yes, we were in this safe space together, and maybe some people will never meet face-to-face, and maybe some will. Maybe this is the end of the group, or maybe not—who knows? But what is certain is that over these ten sessions, every story inspired me. Every story taught me—not in big, philosophical ways—but in showing me that we’re all on this train called life. We get on and off. Some people stay on top longer, others down below longer, but there’s always ups and downs.

The strength and resilience we carry isn’t just within us as individuals—it comes from our presence together. We see parts of ourselves in each other without even realizing it. And that, in itself, is a blessing—to know that even in a life full of pain, it is still tied together with the love and mercy we have for each other. As long as we have someone to listen to—or someone to listen to us, or someone to speak with—it means the world is still okay...

I learned that it’s not just important to have a kind heart and compassion—it’s also a matter of balance and boundaries. With whom, how, and why... and before all of that—compassion for myself, for my soul. This is a personal journey, but at the same time, it’s one that’s deeply interconnected with the people in our lives, with their hearts, and with the well-being of their hearts and souls.

*****Finally (sorry, I never stop talking )—thank you for being the light in these two months. Thank you for the honesty, transparency, courage, and compassion. Thank you for trusting me!! I don’t know where life will take each of you, but I wish you a bright journey, filled with everything your heart longs for. Let’s keep looking for the answers within ourselves, and never give up on our truth. Let’s not let bad experiences or harsh people change our kind hearts—but instead, let our hearts shake the hardness around us. And may we always find the courage to love the people who are hardest to love."

Today, I still live in Lebanon and freelance with various local organizations dedicated to peacebuilding and environmental missions. Although I sometimes doubt my career path and wonder if I should leave Lebanon for better opportunities, new doors keep opening regardless of the challenges, reassuring me that this country needs me, and that I must persist. If not now, then when? I am grateful for the Compassionate Listening project and the spark of light that continues to spread through the circle of compassion from people around the world, regardless of their differences or circumstances.

Finally, I salute the courageous hearts of my practice group for choosing to embrace compassion, delving deeper into their hearts and becoming the peacemakers the world so desperately needs today!

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Ghiwa El Fakhry- Lebanon Born and raised in the mountains of north of Lebanon, Ghiwa El Fakhry is a peacebuilder, community activist, and environmental advocate whose work bridges dialogue, healing, and social change. She holds a B.A. in International Affairs and Political Science with a minor in Conflict Resolution from the Lebanese American University and is finalizing her M.A. in Diplomacy and International Security at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik.

Rooted in her rural upbringing, Ghiwa’s passion for nature, outdoor sports, citizenship education, and community engagement has shaped her dedication for rural development development and youth leadership and empowerment. She has facilitated Quiet Time reflection circles with Initiatives of Change Lebanon, co-founded youth mentoring and career guidance programs, and led cultural dialogue initiatives.

A certified practitioner-in-training with the Compassionate Listening Project, Ghiwa integrates deep listening, empathy, and bridge-building into her work. Committed to blending art, nature, and activism, she offers a holistic approach to cultural and environmental change, grounded in honoring diverse identities and fostering genuine spaces for connection and reconciliation.