HUMANITY

                Humanity!  It’s a word we throw around often these days.  But do we really understand what it means?  The dictionary gives us the following meaning: “the quality or state of being humane.”

                We think that by saving a puppy from being abused we are humane. WAIT!  Before you start mentally choking me to death because you may feel I’m belittling efforts to save puppies.  That’s not the case.  But, let’s be honest.  Organizations request, receive and spend multi-millions of dollars to save this species or that one.  These people would feel their actions make them humane.  And I am not going to argue that point.  However, these people could find themselves in situations involving other humans and they could fall short of displaying this quality of compassion.

                If you haven’t already done so, look at the video attached above to this blog.  Does it look familiar to you?  We constantly scurry around town, eyes glued to our cell phones, taking care of our business and other personal obligations.  You’ve seen them sitting or lying on the streets.  Perhaps they have been standing by the side of the road holding their signs.  Beggars, panhandlers, whatever you want to call them.  Our cities are becoming overrun with the homeless.  Are some of them just trying to “beat the system” and fleece you out of your hard earned money?  Perhaps!  Others are just dealing the best they can with bad circumstances in their lives.  Do we have to share a common understanding of a person’s situation BEFORE we can display sympathy for others?  Would all those people who passed by or ignored such ones have to become homeless themselves before they could react to the needs of such an individual?  Don’t get me wrong - - - I am not condemning these people for walking past such a person.  I do not know their backgrounds or situations.  But, it is interesting that we would expect someone to provide assistance to a person in need and to do the humane thing!  However, most of us have been raised from childhood with the indoctrination of “don’t talk to strangers” or “don’t butt into another’s business.”  Yet how do we ‘balance” this type of upbringing with the tugging of our hearts to care?

                This is what separates us from the animals.  As humans we can discern “what is the RIGHT thing to do?” and then we need to do it!  It may not always be the easiest thing to do, nor may it be the most profitable thing to do, or maybe it’s not going to “look right.”  But it just may be the RIGHT thing to do and we need to do it!

                If you begin to think of past situations where upon reflection you should have done things differently from what you did, DON’T beat yourself up about it.  But, starting today, vow to yourself that you will respond differently in the future.  You will make a concerted effort to be the person who opens your heart to ALL creatures who occupy this earth with us, especially for the benefit of your fellow humans, regardless of their race, creed, color or nationality.  Also remember that we are all imperfect and you are going to fall short.  Just do the best you can each day because - - - we’re only human!

QUOTE TO CONSIDER

THOUGHTFUL GEM

"If you have only ONE thing you can do today,

make someone happy."