It happened in a streak of light today, inspiration came in the form of sunshine on a basket of hot tortillas. We had decided to stay at the Treehouse and sip our cafes as we discussed the speaker from that morning. The sunshine made me think of how grand it is that, though it was only I who was seeing those particular beams of light, they had come from the sun which was simultaneously affecting every single thing on this planet….whether by hitting it, reflecting on the moon, or making a notable absence.
This idea of interconnectedness, of a vast universal link is why I will be an ISW. It is why I see my community as my family as well as my global neighbour ….. This brings me to our speaker.
He talked to us about community support holistically, in a way that I had never experienced before. Not just the idea of “full belly, happy heart”….because really a full belly just means that you had enough to eat for that meal. He spoke of the strength that comes with unity, solidarity. With being the witness to another’s truths.
He spoke of the idea that mental health is a direct effector of physical health….
Stress induced by low-intensity conflict is just as damaging as lack of access to nutritious, sustainable food and clean water. A terrorized population cannot thrive.
We discussed who defines value….
How do we place a monetary amount on any life? Why does the country or ethnicity of one’s birth suddenly allow or disallow them access to food, water, shelter, safety?
Remember what is good for the goose is good for the gander. We are all affected by that same sun…even if we do get lost in the glow of a single beam.
So to keep this brief, I wanted to ask everyone who reads this to try being an ISW for a day.
Look at a complete stranger like they’re your brother, mother, child. See how that shapes your view….when you’re no longer just strangers.
Would it get you to hold the door open for them? Split your sandwich if they are hungry? Would you give them a $20 bill? A $50? Would you drive them to the hospital if they were sick? Let them sleep on your couch if they had nowhere to go? Would you question another that discriminated against them? Would you speak up for them in a room full of strangers? Would you write a letter to your PM demanding their equal rights? Would you call them friend even if it were uncomfortable or unpopular? Would you be too afraid to do these things? Would it be because you don’t know if they’d do the same for you? Is that enough of a reason not to help? Is your reluctance a product of fear? Who put it there?
I’d like to think that the division that has caused the destruction of people, culture, earth, water, life, has been because we have unlearned our link….our connection.
We are all affected by the same sun.
Let’s be brothers, mothers, daughters.....if even for a day.
Hear, hear!
ReplyDeleteAs some will know who read this, I strive every day to do these things. It sounds cliche, it reads as corny, but it really doesn't take much to effect a major change in someone's day. I've always been personally surprised when, on occasion that I have done something to connect with a fellow person in a more meaningful way than might be 'the norm', I see a look come across their face that says I've actually touched them.
We truly are all the same, wherever the sun finds us.