Intuition is our edge

Sahar Barak — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 19:40:52 +0000

Today was supposed to be a landmark day, driving to Tel Aviv for the Israeli Innovation Authority's convention, a gathering brimming with potential for any startup in the climate, energy, or food tech sectors.

it promised a cornucopia of opportunities: round tables laden with the promise of grants, a stage set for pitches that could launch dreams into reality, and a bustling network of founders and potential co-founders mingling amid a feast of food and drink. It was the kind of day designed to infuse startups with the vitality to soar.

Yet, as the day dawned, it did so under the shadow of recent events that hung heavily over Israel. The nation had struck a high-ranking military officer in Iran, sparking vows of retribution that seemed poised to culminate on this, the last day of Ramadan. Tensions simmered, making the journey to Tel Aviv—a city teeming with financial prowess and now, perhaps, a target—seem more like a foray into uncertainty than a mere business trip.

But determination coursed through me, a resolve to not let fear and terror dictate the pursuit of my life's mission. With the morning still wrapped in the quietude of dawn, I embarked at 7:30, leaving ample time to navigate the unpredictable rhythm of traffic, catch the train, and immerse myself in final preparations.

However, barely thirty minutes into the journey, surrounded by the beautiful Jezreel Valley, with my hometown of Tivon receding in the horizon as I change busses off to Tel Aviv, an ominous feeling took hold. The earth trembled subtly beneath my feet, the sky turned unsettling gray. Something was weird, an intuition whispering warnings I couldn't ignore.

Reaching out to my co-founder, a being of fairy-like intuition and deep sensitivity, I shared my unease.

"Hey listen, something is off, I think I'm turning back," I texted, my fingers hesitating over the keys.
"What's up?" came his swift reply, a lifeline in the brewing storm.
"Something feels off, I'm scared of leaving Tivon, and I feel my feet are drawing back to town," I admitted, the words barely capturing the tumult inside.
"Okay, it's not the time then. Let it go," he counseled, his faith in our intuition as our guide shining through the screen.
“How can I be sure I ain’t just chickening out?” I questioned, seeking reassurance in the face of unseen fears.
“Intuition is what separates us from the rest of the abundance of tech startups. It’s the finest of human qualities, don’t worry about it,” he assured, grounding me in the trust we had built on our shared vision.

His words were a balm, affirming the decision to trust that inner voice. So, I allowed bus 826 to Tel Aviv go past me as I wait for the next bus back to Tivon, seeking solace and clarity in the familiar embrace of a local coffee shop.

As I pondered our dwindling funds and the path forward, a call shattered the momentary peace. It was my girlfriend, her voice laced with panic.

"Babe, I've been in an accident," she cried.

Without hesitation, I gathered my things and made haste to be by her side. swiftly, I grabbed my coffee, now a travel companion, and looked for the fastest route to her. I tried to hitchhike for a few minutes until fortune smiled on me—a bus halted directly in front of me, not at a stop but as if by chance, driven by the same person who had ferried me earlier. This unexpected ride felt like a small nod from the universe, that I am indeed under divine intervention.

The incident, a jarring reminder of the unpredictability of life, was spurred by frustration over skyrocketing gas prices.
Houti Iranian proxies have in the past few months pirating the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden, leaving all ocean traffic carrying oil to go around Africa and enter through the Strait of Gibraltar.
She had dared a risky maneuver at a notorious junction, resulting in a collision that could have ended much worse than it did.
At the garage, the mechanic's assessment offered a small relief: "Aside from the left headlight, it's not too bad. $200."

While the damage was minor, the day's events left a lasting impression. Perhaps it was sheer coincidence, or maybe, just maybe, my intuition had shielded us from a fate far grimmer in Tel Aviv. Regardless, being there for my girlfriend as she navigated this harsh lesson was where I needed to be.

Gratitude filled me, a silent thank you to the universe for its mysterious ways.
As for the convention and the opportunities missed, they paled in comparison to the invaluable insight gained: to always trust that inner voice, for it guides us through life's most turbulent storms.

Moon.

Just a humble beginning

Sahar Barak — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 08:45:49 +0000

On a rain-drenched evening, with the steady patter serving as a backdrop to my thoughts, I find myself nestled on the porch of a local gem—part pub, part hub, all heart, surrounded by the verdant embrace of a greenhouse and warming candle light. With almond tea warming my hands and a joint between my fingers, there’s a peculiar serenity in the air, punctuated by occasional glances from a pretty blond a few tables over. Our eyes meet, but I let the moment pass; my heart is elsewhere, and lately, it’s been heavy.
My country’s turmoil weighs on me, casting shadows on daily joys. Friends linger in uncertainty in Gaza’s tunnels, leaving an ache that’s hard to shake off. Amidst this, here I am, Sahar, named after the moon’s third phase, wrestling with the colossal task of trying to save the world.

Before I get too carried away with grandiose dreams, let me circle back and introduce myself properly. Sahar, 26, a software engineer turned dreamer and doer, on a mission to decentralize our basic needs—energy, food, connection—and localize them to nurture sustainable, resilient communities.

Nine months ago, I left my lucrative fintech job, at a unicorn called Sunbit, setting my sights on this dream indefinitely. 
Home is Kiryat Tivon, a small town steeped in biblical history, nestled in the Jezreel Valley on the sub northern part of Israel, a stone’s throw from Nazareth and Beit Lehem and surrounded by archaeological marvels. These ancient narratives deeply influence me, even as I navigate the complexities of advocating for peace in a region often defined by its conflicts. I’m a pacifist at heart, got my discharge from reserve just a few months before the war began, a stance that’s only solidified in recent times.

As the evening unfolds, the conversation at the next table turns to geopolitical speculations, three nice fella’s sit around discussing the probability of Iran attacking Israel without proxies, potential conflicts, strategies for survival, how casual, Yet, amid these distractions, my focus remains unwavering: “The path to saving the world lies in balancing decentralization with centralization.”

Diving into the Kybalion’s wisdom, I’m reminded of the duality in all things, the balance between opposites, the need for harmony. This ancient knowledge is a beacon as I refine Cherry, embedding these principles into technology, striving for a balance that feels almost paradoxical. The more I align with my true nature, the closer Cherry comes to embodying the natural, neutral essence I envision.
"Everything is dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of opposites; like and unlike are the same; opposites are identical in nature, but different in degree; extremes meet; all truths are but half-truths; all paradoxes may be reconciled."

This platform will be my canvas, raw and unfiltered, a space for creativity, personal reflection, and unadulterated truth. While Medium and its monetization paths may be closed to me, I turn to Patreon, Twitch, Instagram, open-source collaboration, and a professional LinkedIn presence to connect, create, and sustain this journey.
Here, I vow to be genuine, letting creativity and honesty guide my narrative. It’s not about fame, fortune, or feeding the ego; it’s about birthing Cherry into existence, sharing every step of this venture, from tech breakthroughs to personal breakthroughs, from the highs of innovation to the lows of existential dread.

In the backdrop of personal musings, a couple lost in a romantic embrace reminds me of tenderness, while Boaz, the mistakenly named feline friend, nudges me towards gentleness in tumultuous times.
So, as I embark on this journey with you, my unseen audience, and with myself, I promise a tale of resilience, innovation, and the quest for a better world. Through this blog, I aim to clear the fog, share my soul, and maybe, just maybe, show how aligning our deepest purposes with our manifestations can illuminate the path forward.
Here's to the adventure ahead, to Cherry, and to discovering how far we can go when we dare to dream big and act with intention. Let’s dive into this narrative together, shall we?

Moon.

DEV Community: Sahar Barak

Intuition is our edge

Just a humble beginning