It took me, a walk past a man sitting on the stairs eating lunch, to make me think of something I've been wondering about.
Humanity.
Why haven't we acquired that illusive state of harmony, peace and collaborating existence (not sure what this is)?
Le me put the man on the stairs in context. For as long as I have lived in this complex (block of flats) the one constant person that I greet in the morning is the man that cleans the stairs and parking lot, collects and removes garbage (other peoples garbage: I am not comfortable with the idea that a man way older than me should clean up my garbage).
I've never seen him have lunch before --- of all these 30 something apartments - that he maintains - there isn't a respectable, decent place for him to have lunch?
It bothered me. It still does.
Something is wrong here, something is very wrong.
So, instead of singing: Man in the mirror. I thought to myself, we should be the example we want the world to become (paraphrasing Ghandi's words).
But, it's not good enough for you to want to 'start with the man in the mirror', but rather, reflect that changed man onto the world. (besides: helping others is easier than helping yourself, no?)
I think the key thing is that 'reflection' --- the world is harsh --- anybody can tell you that. But, we all don't experience the same harshness, our levels of harsh are different and we all know it could get worse.
*before I lose the plot --- let me get to the end.
I think, we therefore need to care for others, show compassion, accommodate, listen, engage, go out of your way, lend a hand – all those good things you see on cheesy calendars.
I also, think, the state, government, NGO's, the UN, cannot change the world --- they are a reflection of what the world is, including it's illusions about who should bring about this peace.
A government is a representation of a people --- when the government fails those people, it is the people that have failed.
We should then ensure we resemble and reflect the world we want the world to be.
I am hoping this makes sense --- I guess, that's the problem with a thought provoking an emotion.
Aluta, continua.