[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fzNE_VL8AfXr09iHbGAObiSil6xOTXrDC4mNkx21SfqQ":3,"$fuCqZAYtrzhCPG_rqP_TTde_9084oGFpU_O4XluUP5B4":12},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},40751,"Refaat Alareer","R",6,null,"refaat-alareer",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":105},[14,27,38,47,67,86],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":19,"source":20,"quote_tag":21,"commentary":9},749759,"What to tell you? Gaza is frustrating these days—well, these years. It’s a good exercise in patience, at least.",2,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[22],{"id":23,"tag":24},3588286,{"id":25,"tag_name":26},24677,"gaza",{"id":28,"quote_text":29,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":30,"source":31,"quote_tag":32,"commentary":9},649126,"All that I can tell you is that nothing can justify it, not even the most sacred ends in the world, not even peace itself, understand me?''Yes, Mom. Nothing can justify our scars.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[33],{"id":34,"tag":35},3318585,{"id":36,"tag_name":37},6188,"scars",{"id":39,"quote_text":40,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":41,"source":42,"quote_tag":43,"commentary":9},649125,"What is there beyond the sky?' I asked my mother.'Paradise.''What does it look like?''Like children’s dreams.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[44],{"id":45,"tag":46},3318584,{"id":36,"tag_name":37},{"id":48,"quote_text":49,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":50,"source":51,"quote_tag":52,"commentary":66},649096,"I averted my eyes, looked around, and stumbled through all the faces in the room till they finally rested on his. He was standing like a scared bird, waving one wing and using the other to hide his scar. Aya Rabah- Scars",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[53,58,61],{"id":54,"tag":55},3318494,{"id":56,"tag_name":57},496,"war",{"id":59,"tag":60},3318493,{"id":36,"tag_name":37},{"id":62,"tag":63},3318492,{"id":64,"tag_name":65},17139,"palestine","**The Backstory**\n\nRefaat Alareer's \"Scars\" is a poignant short story, part of his collection \"In Pursuit of Fate\". The narrative unfolds in a war-torn Lebanon, amidst the complexities of human experience during conflict. At the time of writing (late 1980s), Alareer was grappling with the realities of war, displacement, and the scars it leaves on individuals and society.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\n\nThe quote reveals that even in moments of great pain or trauma, we may find solace in avoiding direct confrontation with our wounds. By \"averting my eyes,\" the protagonist momentarily escapes the discomfort of acknowledging another's suffering. This avoidance is not about denial but rather a coping mechanism to temporarily shield oneself from the overwhelming emotions associated with empathy.\n\n**How to Use This**\n\nWhen faced with someone who embodies the complexity of trauma, consider adopting a similar yet nuanced approach. Instead of immediately inserting yourself into their emotional space, observe and listen attentively, allowing them to share their story on their terms. By doing so, you create a safe environment for open communication and foster deeper connections in your personal or professional relationships.\n\nNote: The advice is not about avoidance but about creating a space for empathy to unfold naturally, respecting the individual's boundaries while being present and supportive.",{"id":68,"quote_text":69,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":70,"source":71,"quote_tag":72,"commentary":9},349705,"There's a Palestine that dwells inside all of us, a Palestine that needs to be rescued: a free Palestine where all people regardless of color, religion, or race coexist; a Palestine where the meaning of the word \"occupation\" is only restricted to what the dictionary says rather than those plenty of meanings and connotations of death, destruction, pain, suffering, deprivation, isolation and restrictions that Israel has injected the word with.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[73,78,83],{"id":74,"tag":75},2074605,{"id":76,"tag_name":77},834,"storytelling",{"id":79,"tag":80},2074604,{"id":81,"tag_name":82},1848,"stories",{"id":84,"tag":85},2074603,{"id":64,"tag_name":65},{"id":87,"quote_text":88,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":89,"source":90,"quote_tag":91,"commentary":9},219518,"Sometimes a homeland becomes a tale. We love the story because it is about our homeland and we love our homeland even more because of the story.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[92,97,102],{"id":93,"tag":94},1386383,{"id":95,"tag_name":96},230,"story",{"id":98,"tag":99},1386381,{"id":100,"tag_name":101},6354,"narrative",{"id":103,"tag":104},1386382,{"id":64,"tag_name":65},{"currentPage":106,"totalPages":106,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":107},1,10]