I’m no preacher, and no doubt I’m not as well educated or informed as the other members of rethos. This may be because I choose to block out some aspect of a world that seems sad and lost, but if there were one thing that I think would make a difference in this world is if everyone recognized the humanity in one another, and everyone they come across. It’s so greatly saddening to me to see people walk by the homeless and step to the side, as if they’re seeing some filthy creature, or to see people who cannot recognize the beauty in those less fortunate than us (say the mentally challenged, or those facing illness). Often, it seems to me that these members of our society are treated as if they are different, with mock compassion in public, while as soon as the door is closed they are scorned and become the butt of our jokes. One of the most touching things I’ve seen in recent times were two little latino brothers, one of which was in a wheelchair, and looked very unhealthy. His older (but not by much) brother pushed him around happily, clearly enjoying every moment of his time with his young and disabled brother. They both smiled constantly, laughed, giggled, played jokes, and ran errands for their parents. I happened to be at work, and they needed help loading something, and I went to their parents’ car to help them load some concrete, and I found that they were clearly from a family that is less than “well off”. I almost completely broke down in happy happy tears, to see that two young brave little boys were so happy and kind and polite, despite being in a home-situation that most of us would recognize as difficult. It is incredibly touching to see the good in people, espescially the ones that usually seem bitter or downtrodden or resentful of their assigned “caste”. I don’t mean to sound condescending, or self righteous, because I know that I am no more or less than anyone else. I do not mean to say that I am from a better “caste” or level in society, or that I have any reason to feel more fortunate than any other person. I do mean to say, however, that compassion and love and humanity are so necessary for each of us to live productive, happy, meaningful lives- for us to maximize our connectivity with others. I will die with the image of those two smiling, laughing, happy-go-lucky brothers who had at least emotionally overcome hardships that seem to wreck much of our youth these days. I think that if everyone makes it a goal to recognize the beauty in everyone we meet, we may be able to someday live in at least more of a state of harmony than we seem to live in now. I think that by recognizing our humanity, we can take great steps towards solving the adversities of the world, and that we can make more of a difference by being creatures of love than creatures of judgement and seperation.

The idea is not to get ahead, or to get even. It is to get close. Make a friend by being a friend, and together you may make the world a better place, if only slightly. That is a goal each of us can meet every single day, and the first step towards tackling many of the problems that are frequently discussed on rethos.

peace and love