We have never lived in a time where we are more connected. But instead, we are consumed by our divisions.How is it, that in this day and age, where we have such connection at our fingertips, that so many are left feeling lonely and disconnected from others?
We have become so focused on the “self”; self image, self esteem, self gratification, and the “self” we choose to display in the context of social media. We have forgotten, so it seems, to look outside ourselves and actively seek connection.
We are divided by things such as race, sexual identity, religion… the list goes on and on for “reasons” to be separated from another human being. Race. Why is that there are people who place value on the pigmentation of our skin? Why do some feel the need to seperate individuals or groups of people, because of the colour of their body’s surface? Don’t they know that we are all the same race? The human RACE.
People say that the eyes are the window to a person’s soul. Imagine if we chose only to see a person through that “window”. Imagine if we placed more value on what a human being has within them, instead of on the surface. Maybe we would stop having “surface conversations” and “surface friendships”. When we ask someone “How are you?” we should be ready for and willing to hear an honest answer.
The Pope has said that we are facing a “globalization of indifference”. Our hearts have become cold to the problems others are facing. We have seen the adverts containing starving children so many times that the visuals have less of an impact on our hearts. In the aftermath of a disaster, as a human race we seem to band together and help those who need it. We are “shocked” into caring after watching natural disasters on the news. Why do so many need to be “shocked” into caring?
It should be natural and innate to show kindness and compassion. I challenge you (yes, YOU), to show kindness in your everyday life, and not just to those who you already know. What you put out into the world will come back to you. Think of it as paying it forward. No matter how small the gesture, it can make an impact in someone’s heart and life. If you want a kinder world, go out there and be kind.
-Hazel.
Hazel Moon 