You have obviously sought it but responding to hatred with anger would be to give in to the same ignorance that has made you what you are…. I have no more time to waste on you. ~~Antoine Leiris, 35, husband of woman killed in the Bataclan massacre

I encourage you to listen to the remarkable and courageous 2 ½ minute video of this man’s open letter to ISIS. There are many versions on the Internet including telegraph.co.uk. The video has gone viral on YouTube. His decision not to hate the killers  gives him the freedom to honor his wife. He is choosing to live as well as to grieve fully and by choosing to raise their 17 month old son lovingly. He does not sidestep the grief he feels; however, he refuses to let the terrorists win by using his time and energy hating them. The entire letter further explains his reasoning and choice of response.

Through the days of sorrow and perplexity since the terrorists attacks on Paris, I have listened to and read many reports and stories. This young widower’s response is the response I was hoping to find, a response which turns knee-jerk reactions on their head. A response which opens us up to a depth of feeling beyond the desire for revenge that escalates the hatred, violence and war in the world. A response which does not condemn refugees and migrants. A response which provokes us to think “Is this a viable starting point for seeking a way to a more peaceful and compassionate world? A way to begin to slow down the reactive demands to meet violence with violence?”

I am wondering what your response to him might be. I am wondering how his words might have sparked your thinking.