I don’t usually posts two posts a day, so sorry for bombarding you, but I just came across some old photos from over a decade ago, taken in one of the poorest places on earth.
The poorest retain their common humanity while the richer forget it. I’m struck by studies that test how often drivers stop at crosswalks when they see a pedestrian. Typically, the more expensive the car the less they stop.
I volunteered for many years overseas and what I discovered was that the very people I was supposed to be helping often ended up comforting me - their gratitude was based on the fact that I cared enough to leave my country to be with them. I definitely learnt more from them than I was ever able to impart; this lesson in gratitude + their joy and resilience has remained with me all my life...
I think there is a profound lesson here. I have done a lot of humanitarian work in Africa; and children have more freedom. Joy, and Life than children in the US. I hear middle class families in the US say they are too poor to have children, when they have a nice apartment, 2 cars, luxury food purchases. Etc. I think America has had such massive institutional control of children, from 2 year olds in daycare to 22 year olds in University that we have literally forgotten how to be human. And we don’t know how to have friends, families, fathers, faith, or true community. And as a result, our culture, nations, and families are dying. But we are unable to let go of the drive for material talismans, and focus on human relationships instead. Our souls have been stunted, misshapen, and even poisoned.
The poorest retain their common humanity while the richer forget it. I’m struck by studies that test how often drivers stop at crosswalks when they see a pedestrian. Typically, the more expensive the car the less they stop.
I volunteered for many years overseas and what I discovered was that the very people I was supposed to be helping often ended up comforting me - their gratitude was based on the fact that I cared enough to leave my country to be with them. I definitely learnt more from them than I was ever able to impart; this lesson in gratitude + their joy and resilience has remained with me all my life...
Indeed Eleanor, when all is said and done, I no doubt gained more from that trip, than anyone benefitted from me being there.
I think there is a profound lesson here. I have done a lot of humanitarian work in Africa; and children have more freedom. Joy, and Life than children in the US. I hear middle class families in the US say they are too poor to have children, when they have a nice apartment, 2 cars, luxury food purchases. Etc. I think America has had such massive institutional control of children, from 2 year olds in daycare to 22 year olds in University that we have literally forgotten how to be human. And we don’t know how to have friends, families, fathers, faith, or true community. And as a result, our culture, nations, and families are dying. But we are unable to let go of the drive for material talismans, and focus on human relationships instead. Our souls have been stunted, misshapen, and even poisoned.
That's such a wonderful story, so uplifting, and in these dark times a ray of light. Thank you.
Wow! Acutely observed and succinctly and movingly narrated. Bravo!