The Mechanics of Humanity

Every now and then something happens to reaffirm our faith in humanity and reminds us that not everything is bad nor does it have to be. On the front page of the newspaper was a story about a 79-year old man who had a mechanic shop repairing cars. Yes, he was still working at that age. Most older people already know, it is impossible to live on just Social Security. Well, this man came into work on Monday morning to discover that all of his tools had been taken from the garage. He was devastated because he was a small time mechanic and had no insurance to cover the theft. The mechanic was going to have to close his shop, and just make do somehow. In the next few days, the mechanic received an $11,000 check from an anonymous donor. What a great story! I am so glad that someone with the means to do so read that and made a difference in this man’s life.
Acts like this just underscore the fact that all of us here on the planet are not so different. Most of us want the same things, the things we need, a few of the things we want, a roof over our heads, food to eat, safety, a chance to make a living, to be appreciated for what we do, have good friends and others to love, and that love us.
The Internet has drawn people together from all over the world, who have probably discovered that behind the stereotypes, behind the differences, behind the politics, the supposed ingrained hatred, that we are basically all the same. Granted, the more artistic and open people are on WordPress, but still in the world at large, we can learn that we can all be part of a better world, a world without conflict, without many types of oppression, a world of support and working together.
What a great idea, from John Lennon, who said it in one of the best lyrical ways:
“No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world”
Or from the outstanding young poet, Sarah Kay from her poem, “If I Should Have a Daughter”
“Your just smelling smoke, so you can follow the trail back into the burning house so you can find the boy who lost everything in the fire to see if you can save him
or else see if you can find the boy who set the fire in the first place
to see if you can change him.”
I certainly can’t say it better than either of them, but I can say for all of you, especially the artists, musicians, writers, poets, photographers, dreamers, I think you are helping to make the world better and more emotionally sensitive, bringing out some of the better parts of human nature in the process. Most people can’t afford to be an anonymous cash donor, but we can do small things to pay it forward in the world around us every day. So go out and make a difference in your own way, embrace the spirit of kindness, explore the possibilities. Peace.