In our office, we have a bumper sticker that reads “One Human Family.” It was given to us by Maggie’s dear high school friend who lives in the Florida Keys. One Human Family is the “official philosophy” of Key West. The motto is simple and it means that all people are equal members of one human family. It underscores that despite differences in race, nationality, sexuality, and other differences, those differences are superficial and should not lead to cultural divisions. It is a noble cry for humanity to come together and recognize that we are One, we are Human, and we can be a Family if we choose to do so.
One Human Family should not be such an arduous task but at last it has become so. When you look at humans, our ability to give to others is enormous but so much has gotten in the way that the theory of One Human Family at times seems unreachable. Every day, we face so many compelling issues, not only that of COVID, but of the environment, the political tsunami, and manmade wars. The daily tsunami of news and information can overwhelm us and leads us to a sense of compassion fatigue. It is not surprising that we can experience this in the form of emotional and physical exhaustion.
Our human experience takes us on a ride through a range of emotions, those that fill us up and those that deplete us.If depleted, it can diminish our ability to empathize or feel compassion for others.Changes in today’s worldly events coupled with ones in our personal lives have the potential to create an emotional tsunami that is depleting. When we reach that point, as with any battery that is low, it is time to recharge.
Quite often, we find that in today’s world, we can end up with a low battery. When that happens, we need to remind ourselves that it is time to turn off the news, take a break, and that going back to nature is the cure. It may sound kookie but the sound of birds and the sight of butterflies cruising in our yard helps to bring us back to center. Yep, it is time to slow down, embellish the moment, and find something to be grateful for. And spring is the perfect time for this!
In the Christian religion today, Good Friday is the most sacred day of the calendar. Whether you are Christian or not, this may be a good day to find a place where you can slow down, be in the moment, and look for those things that make you grateful. Afterwards, you may find yourself refreshed and ready to face the realities of life once again. The reality is that we are One Human Family if we care to embrace it.
A Happy Easter and Happy Passover to all!
