I confess arrogance.

For feeling trapped in a hotel room that my friend Jon’s wheelchair wouldn’t even be able to access.

For feeling controlled by someone whose intentions were only to protect me.

For feeling constrained at having to call for an escort every time I wanted to go outside when really those escorts were my friends whom I love to spend time with.

For feeling upset at not being listened to during one conversation with a man who wasn’t heard by his government for thirty years.

For feeling like I knew better the safety of a street than the man who has lived here twice as long as I’ve lived on the earth.

For feeling angry that someone else’s fear (well-grounded and logical) outweighed my fearlessness (theoretical and irrational).

For feeling like someone else’s feelings were separate from my own and forgetting for a moment that we are one.

 

I confess arrogance and through these confessions I purify my heart.

And my last five days in Ukraine, I walked in peace.