So I have been thinking a lot lately about this quote by Albert Einstein…”A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. They experience themselves, their thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of their consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our own personal desires and to affection a few people nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” I think Einstein hit the nail on the head in regards to us as human beings. So much of our lives are solely concerned with MY life, MY job, MY family, My nation etc. We get so caught up in our own personal lives, wants, needs, and desires that we forget to extend our compassion and love to others in need. I think it is so easy for us to get distracted and consumed with our goals, our future, and our material possessions that we forget, or choose not to acknowledge what is going on in the world around us. For instance, turn on the news and you will find a high-speed car chase, experts speaking on the stock market, or politicians spouting rhetoric. But what we don’t find are people reporting on issues of poverty in third-world countries or even here in the United States, no reports of human trafficking, or even the AIDS epidemic. We pick and chose what we want to know or see in regards to what is really going on in the world around us. Is this because as a whole we really don’t care or is it because we chose not to acknowledge how screwed up the world is that we live in. There are so many important issues going on around us yet they get no exposure or attention brought to them, and meanwhile, these people are to fend for themselves in nations with corrupt governments etc. People are seriously suffering and dying, but does that mean anything to us? Honestly…does it? Take for example the genocide going on in the Congo. Right now women are being raped as a weapon in war in the Congo. Yes I know that disturbs us to read, but then how do we respond to that. I’m not saying that we can all be on the next flight to Africa, but there has to be something more we can do to extend our compassion to these people in need. I guess what I am trying to say is that we need to be more PROACTIVE in worldly issues when there is human suffering involved. Whether that means writing to our politicians, finding a nonprofit that supports a cause we are passionate about, or simply sending positive energy or a prayer to those in need….do it! We need to be able to open our hearts to embrace all human beings as the divine creatures we all are. We need more conscious people that care about the wellbeing of others and are willing to make a difference in this world. Maybe in order to view others in this light we must take a look within ourselves. Maybe before we can change the lives of others we must change ourselves first. But in the end, we need to get to the point where we can all have empathy for those around us even if they don’t directly affect our lives. But if we are smart we will realize that we are all interconnected in some way shape or form and that in the end we are all human beings that deserve the right to live a life free from suffering. You may think what I am saying is “preachy” but maybe we all need to be reminded that we are all created equal, we all inhabit this world, and we all share the same breath and spirit that lies within us. We need to be able to extend our love and compassion to those who really need us right here and right now. We all need to BE LOVE NOW!
