“We moved to Beirut in 1969, and lived there for 15 years. I led the life of my dreams in Beirut until the Civil War began in 1975. I had a very unhealthy love of the city. Every time we felt like we wanted to leave, we found a way to be lured back and stay. We ended up moving to the states in 1983. I was totally depressed. My mind was really war warped and I found living in the states abnormal, compared to what we had lived through on a daily basis in Beirut, under the bombs for 8 years. That was our norm. There’s no doubt I suffered from PTSD. But then, a friend of mine really saved my life. We stayed with her briefly in Boston before we got our own flat, and she’s the one who said you need to start exercising. She was right. She literally put me back into a healthier state. Obviously, it didn’t happen overnight, but I’ve been exercising every day religiously for the past 32 years. It gives me the mental clarity and energy boost that I need. Also, in the late 80’s, writing became my therapy. My son, said mom, I want you to start writing our story about our life in Beirut. So I did, and as I started expelling everything I had in my heart and in my mind on paper, I realized I wasn’t doing this for him, I was doing this for myself as a way of mourning the loss of the city I loved. I write because I love the Middle East and I care deeply about the people who live there. Through my writing, I get to tell the story of those voices never heard or those stories never told. I sit on the board of Interfaith Peace Builders and am currently Chair. The work I do through this NGO gives my life meaning. I live by “Be the change you want to see in the world.” I balance this with exercising every day and writing. Writing and working for justice are passions of mine and the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment as an author all contribute to my overall well-being. Exercise gives me the stamina to do all that I want to do while at the same time gives my life the proper balance of good health and happiness.”