Realizing We Are Each Other, We Can Learn To Give Of Ourselves.

You might think I am some sort of idealist or believer in a utopian society, but there are some questions that I like to ask and wonder about in relation to the future of our species. One such question that often comes to mind is, ‘Can individual people learn to recognize and realize that all other people have similar desires and needs in life to their own?’ It’s a kind of paradox. To truly connect and help others we need to realize both what makes them individual and different, as well as what makes them intrinsically the same as ourselves. So can this revelation occur in the minds of our whole combined human society?

It seems that many of the social problems in our world today stem from the ignorance of another’s customs and beliefs. In other words, fear of the unknown. There has also been a strong push by Western society to fight for what you can get for yourself. Take hold of what you can and defend it against all of the ‘competitors’. The problem with this belief system is that the glue of our collective social consciousness becomes unstuck. We no longer see that each and every organism/spirit/soul/body around us is another one of ourselves. We lose the tribal truth and realization that we are here together and that we actually need each other for survival and the attainment of a healthy life.

If I think only about myself today, the funny thing is, I’m probably going to feel bad as my focus will probably start obsessing over what things are wrong with my life, what things could be better. The glass is half empty. On the other hand, I really would like to start seeing all the opportunities that are presented to me everyday in which I could help others with their lives and their happiness. I heard a famous human being once say that when we are babies we need to be taken care of, and when we grow old and feeble, again we rely on the kindness of others. So why in the middle of our lives, when we are fit and healthy, do we ignore the needs of those who require our attention?

Here I sit at my desk writing words on a piece of paper that will be deemed an article and then sent around the world for people to read if they so desire. Maybe many will read it, maybe none at all. Why am I doing it? Well I’m getting paid, and that’s an important impetus as it will hopefully keep me alive with food, clothing, and shelter. I’m also making a trade with my employer. For my intellectual property or skills and knowledge in my area of expertise (I rarely if ever feel as though I am proficient enough in this word game) I am reciprocated with experience in my specific area of interest, as well as the monetary gain I mentioned above. However, there must be something more going on here.

Why am I writing this article? Is it for my employer or for myself? No, the truth is that it is for everyone that is destined to come across it and read it. Why do I feel the need to speak to my fellow beings? I’m not an evangelist, a preacher, or a teacher. I’m just a normal guy. The simple truth is I feel a driving desire to care about what happens to my human brothers and sisters in the world. Why have a good life for myself if so many others suffer, especially if some are suffering (often unbeknownst to myself) because of my own actions? Look, I’m not perfect. Ask my family and friends and they will surely tell you, I am very far from it. I have these ideas, but does that mean I always put them into practice? No way. But I do have this strange feeling that if I just express myself, as an average citizen of the Earth, that some small, if only slightly significant ripples of change could be affected on my human family.

Maybe after reading these words, you’ll decide to do something for someone else today, however small it may be. I’ve seen so much goodness in other people. You may even wish to do it anonymously. I mean, the ultimate form of giving is done without thought of any return of favor. I kind of wish that this article/story/stream of conscious thought could be written anonymously, but I’m not allowed. It’s the rules. I have to be accountable for what I say. As I am working for a company, I have to represent them here. It’s a strange world isn’t it?

So, if you’ve made it this far through my thoughts on the screen/page all I really have to say is one simple message, ‘Do whatever you can, big or small, to give love back to the world, to help others in need.’ We all need help from people and are given the opportunity to help people everyday. You could now be saying to yourself, ‘Why should I help others? My life has been hard and painful, no one ever helped me.’ It could be true. But is it reason enough for you to shut yourself off from the magic of the Universe, the Sun, stars, forests, oceans, animals and people? Another paradox is the feeling that one gets from giving. All that you may receive is the feeling that you gave of yourself. What a feeling that can be!

Summary: ‘Can individual people learn to recognize and realize that all other people have similar desires and needs in life to their own?’ To truly connect and help others we need to realize both what makes them individual and different, as well as what makes them intrinsically the same as ourselves. ‘Do whatever you can, big or small, to give love back to the world, to help others in need.’ We all need help from people and are given the opportunity to help people everyday.