Humanity Doesn't Have Power... It Has Responsibility
Though our appearances may differ — our skin a myriad of hues forming a terrestrial rainbow of peoples, from ebony to alabaster — we are all, at our core, human beings. Our smiles, uniquely shaped by our experiences, serve as universal expressions of kindness. Our laughter rings through the air, a symphony of joy shared with others. Our cries, and sorrowful lamentations, invite empathy from those around us. Every set of eyes holds a unique perspective, a distinctive glimpse into the depth of existence.
We are the living embodiments of poetry, our lives drawn in the vibrant ink of pain, pleasure, and occasionally, sublime love.
Regardless of the narratives we’ve been fed, we are all interconnected, woven into the same social fabric. Our task is to mend the connections, to rediscover our shared humanity.
Often, in the face of disunity, we manifest chaos in order to recall the sensation of unity.
It’s akin to picking a fight with a loved one just to experience the pleasure of reconciliation. Does unity necessitate suffering? Not necessarily, but this concept seems alien to us, thus, suffering becomes our starting point in the pursuit of healing our fractured minds.
Suffering is the magnifying glass revealing our self-neglect. Love, however, doesn’t require disaster to be remembered. It can simply be chosen, nurtured, and embodied. What it demands is responsibility — our ability to respond. Respond Ability isn’t a load thrust upon us by others, it’s simply the capacity to be aware of ourselves and others as we coexist within the boundaries of nature.
We have the power to shape our beliefs, our words, and our actions. Without the determination to master our minds and embody wisdom, the expectation of altering our world seems ludicrous.
G_d is synonymous with love, unity, and freedom. G_d does not endorse domination or war. Transcending the confines of form and word, beyond the grasp of the intellect, G_d resides within each of us, ready to be discovered. It is our responsibility to uncover this divine presence within us.
War and domination are products of our internal conflict, not of G_d.
Our understanding, our version of the truth, has obscured wisdom. In our ignorance, we lose touch with the perfect love within us, leading us to harm ourselves and others. To remember this unity, this love, this G_d-within, we must recognize the divine in ourselves and each other. Unless we do so, our conditioned minds will fail to see unity as a viable way of life.
Instead, we might continue to identify as solitary beings attempting to conquer the world and etch our names in history. At present, our conditioned minds perceive survival as a battle, either we conquer the other, or the other conquers us.
Consider the destructive differences we impose upon one another: The various denominations of Christianity fail to see their unity in their shared veneration of Jesus. Different religions neglect their common celebration of the same G_d. Democrats and Republicans ignore their shared love for the same nation. This list goes on, encompassing sexuality, socioeconomic status, and race.
We do not have to accept each others beliefs to accept each other.
We seem unable to recognize our shared humanity and universal truths, resulting in a mind ensnared by dysfunctional patterns and shared lies. We are chained by the confines of our identity, and it’s impossible to faithfully serve two masters.
Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. 1 John 2:9–10
Venture out and seek connections with those who seem unlike you. Demonstrate to the world that difference is not a threat. Step outside the comfortable boundaries of your religious, social, cultural, and economic spheres — your narrative — and engage with others candidly. We should commemorate our differences, not weaponize them.
Alone we can do so little: together we can do so much. –Helen Keller
Each of us has experienced the sharp lash of rejection, the gnashing teeth of judgment, and the searing flames of hatred. But do we declare: I’ll never inflict these agonies on another, for I know their sting all too well when they’re visited upon me? Regrettably, no. We shirk our responsibility, opting instead to castigate others for the suffering we can no longer bear within ourselves. Take this! My pain is so immense that I must wound you to alleviate my own torment!
Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. –Buddha
We’ve all also felt the gentle, melodious touch of love upon our hearts. Yet, for some unknown reason, this gift of love is seldom received; even more rarely is it gifted. We express the entirety of our hate when we kill, deceive, lie, and steal. But what can the full extent of our love accomplish? The world awaits…
To become as a little child there must be a transference from thinking in the brain, to the intuition and heart centre. Then the little child, the spirit of humility in the heart, will listen, and will also teach the mind in the head. –White Eagle
Each of us starts as a child, who then becomes an adult. However, for the majority, this transformation is not a maturation into a self-responsible life. Instead, it’s a corruption of innocence, thrusting one into a world of harmful differences that wear away the wonder of life. Giving birth requires immense courage and represents the ultimate act of service.
We are all mothers in a sense, possessing the potential to conceive and nurture love within us.
We must reconnect with this original act of service, this selfless devotion: Love. We are at our best when we cherish the miracle of our existence, not only within ourselves but also in each other and within nature. As we serve, so are we served. Breathe to breathe, we are present. Hand in hand, we are present. Heart to heart, we are present. And it’s in this present moment that we must look out for each other. We must remember the invaluable nature of life, and perhaps then, we’ll think twice before causing harm.
This is our duty.
Let’s look out for each other.
