26-34. History Is Speaking: Are We Listening?

Sara’s View of Life, with Sara Troy. On air from August 25th

Did you hear that? I mean, did you truly hear it? Were you listening and absorbing what was being said? Did it illuminate, astonish or enlighten you? Did it reveal something within you?

That is what podcasting is all about, and why I have continued doing this work for more than fourteen years. I want you to hear the message—not merely the words, but who is speaking, why they are sharing and what their story can teach us.

I recently recorded an extraordinary two-hour conversation with Giselle Roeder, a survivor of the Second World War. As a young girl living in Eastern Germany, she experienced the destruction of war firsthand. Her family had lived a humble but loving rural life until the arrival of the Russian army turned their world upside down.

Giselle witnessed violence, displacement, hunger and unspeakable atrocities. Her father was taken away and sent to Siberia, along with other able-bodied men and women between sixteen and sixty. Her mother was left to protect and care for her children under horrific circumstances. Giselle was only eleven years old, yet the things she witnessed forced her to grow up far too quickly.

Her story is important because history continues to repeat itself—under different names, uniforms and circumstances. We see suffering in Ukraine, Gaza, and many other places around the world. We continue to say, “Never again,” but somehow we allow fear, hatred, division and the hunger for power to lead humanity back into violence.

Who wins a war? No one. The emotional, spiritual, economic and environmental wounds can take generations to heal. Yet, despite everything history has taught us, humanity continues to reach for weapons instead of conversation, understanding and peaceful solutions.

Many of the people I interview share stories of struggle, pain and loss—but also courage, resilience and healing. They faced the darkness in their lives and found a way through it. Those who embrace healing often emerge with a profound commitment to peace, because they know that peace is what settles the heart, spirit and soul.

Those who do not heal can become trapped in bitterness, blame and vengeance. Hurt people often hurt others. This is why listening matters. If we listened to people before their pain became rage, helped them discover their value and give them meaningful ways to participate, perhaps fewer people would be manipulated by those who use anger and division to gain power.

Our significance begins within us. It comes through our participation, contribution and willingness to take responsibility for our own journey. We cannot become significant in the world until we recognize our significance in our own lives. This is the journey of self-discovery, self-love and meaningful purpose.

Today, we have access to more stories, knowledge and guidance than ever before. People share their experiences through books, podcasts, talks and social platforms. They show us how they moved from darkness into light and found courage, compassion and hope. The wisdom is available—but what are we choosing to read, watch and hear?

We cannot claim ignorance when suffering is happening before our eyes. Awareness invites us to care, and caring calls us to respond. We cannot fight every battle, because carrying the pain of the entire world can overwhelm us. But we can choose something meaningful to stand for, something harmful to stand against and someone vulnerable to stand beside.

Standing with another person can make an enormous difference, even if all we can offer is the knowledge that they are not alone.

We do not all have to look, think or live alike. There are many colours in the rainbow of life, and every one of them contributes to its beauty. I do not care about someone’s colour, nationality, economic standing, gender or orientation. What matters to me is their frequency, their consciousness and whether they genuinely care about humanity and planet.

Are you listening? Are you truly hearing and seeing what is happening—or are you choosing to look away?

Please listen to my conversation with Giselle. It is long and, at times, difficult to hear, but her story needs to be remembered. If we believe such atrocities cannot happen again, we only need to look around. They are already happening under different labels and in different forms.

I believe we are kinder and more intelligent than this. I believe we possess the conscious hearts needed to choose another way. We must listen more deeply, pay attention and find something we are willing to stand for. We must push back against those who use fear and division for power while standing beside the innocent, the wounded and even those beginning to realize they have been deceived.

Let us stand together as one human race, regardless of colour, creed or origin. Let us place humanity, our planet and all life upon it first. Let us practise kindness toward ourselves and one another, because until we do, we will continue travelling down a path of destruction.

Until next time, I truly wish you love and peace. May you discover them within yourself and share them with everyone around you.

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