“In all, there were three things:

the certainty one is always beginning

the certainty one must go further

and the certainty that one will be interrupted before finishing.

From the interruptions, to make a new path,

from falling, a dance step,

from fear, a ladder

from dream, a bridge, from search… the encounter.”

/ Fernando Pessoa

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Dr. Dana Pereg and I sat for a heart-to-heart conversation in the midst of the war and delved into the profound subject of resilience in times of war, and how we rediscover who we are in its aftermath. Our conversation focused on the essence of human existence and the search for meaning in challenging times, drawing inspiration from Viktor Frankl's book - Man’s Search For Meaning’, where he details his therapy technique "logotherapy" and describes how we actively seek purpose even in the darkest of times. We explored the challenge of rediscovering our identity after the shattering impact of war, recognizing that terror and trauma undermine the very meaning in our lives and disrupt the continuity of life.

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Amidst the chaos, we emphasized the vital role of the human spirit to find solace in culture, art and literature which offer glimpses of hope and understanding during distress. Dana stressed that in moments of deep crisis, the human capacity to find meaning becomes a lighthouse of resilience.

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Ultimately, our conversation illuminated the profound truth that even in the most trying circumstances, the human spirit prevails, seeks meaning, and forges resilience as proof of our enduring strength.