Ubuntu
I have previously written about the African word and concept ubuntu. A frequent translation of the concept is “I am because you are.” It may also be translated as humanity. For some the use of the pronoun ‘you’ connotes all of creation and not just other people. For me the concept reminds me that every action I take (not acting is also an action) affects the entire universe. Whether one believes the universe had a master designer or evolved over millions of years there is no disputing the fact that all forms of life are interdependent. Killing one small organism removes the food source for some other organism which, in turn, affect other organisms which, in term …. One gets the idea. Killing one fruit fly, even if intentionally reproduced in a lavatory, has an effect on the balance of the universe. One might suggest, of course, that if one is intentionally engineering the production of more fruit flies then one is not affecting anything outside of the lavatory, but one has removed at least two fruit flies from the larger environment and if one uses fruit flies in that lavatory to research brain diseases of humans then the longer life span of those humans will have an impact on the rest of creation.
I often contemplate the example of one smile having a positive effect on one store clerk who may shares that smile with 60 people, 50 whom share it with 10 people, 8 of which share it with 10 people. That smile has potentially traveled to at least 3500 people. Because many of those people are feeling better they may be more aware of how they treat others and even how their behavior affects the environment.
I was listening to an interview with 13-year-old Alina Morse whose company is projected to make $2 million in profits this year. At 7 years old she asked her dad why they could not make a healthy lollipop that that is good for one’s teeth. She started experimenting in her parents kitchen and despite some early mishaps such as ruining the kitchen range she now has her dad working full time as manager of the business for her. Her Zollipops are not only tasty but clean the teeth of many children and adults
Every day I read of some young person who has initiated a fund raiser to help others, improve school equipment or initiate an action which will potentially have a positive effect on many people.
It is easy for all of us to get busy with life and look for that shortcut which will save time and energy without thinking of how that decision affects the entire universe. A good example are the small plastic bag, millions of which are affecting the life of much of the rest of the planet including humans who eat the fish or other life form which has eaten or absorbed some of that plastic.
Unbuntu – I am because of you. You are because of me. We are because of each other. They are (all other life forms) because of us as we are because of them.
Written May 7, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
I have previously written about the African word and concept ubuntu. A frequent translation of the concept is “I am because you are.” It may also be translated as humanity. For some the use of the pronoun ‘you’ connotes all of creation and not just other people. For me the concept reminds me that every action I take (not acting is also an action) affects the entire universe. Whether one believes the universe had a master designer or evolved over millions of years there is no disputing the fact that all forms of life are interdependent. Killing one small organism removes the food source for some other organism which, in turn, affect other organisms which, in term …. One gets the idea. Killing one fruit fly, even if intentionally reproduced in a lavatory, has an effect on the balance of the universe. One might suggest, of course, that if one is intentionally engineering the production of more fruit flies then one is not affecting anything outside of the lavatory, but one has removed at least two fruit flies from the larger environment and if one uses fruit flies in that lavatory to research brain diseases of humans then the longer life span of those humans will have an impact on the rest of creation.
I often contemplate the example of one smile having a positive effect on one store clerk who may shares that smile with 60 people, 50 whom share it with 10 people, 8 of which share it with 10 people. That smile has potentially traveled to at least 3500 people. Because many of those people are feeling better they may be more aware of how they treat others and even how their behavior affects the environment.
I was listening to an interview with 13-year-old Alina Morse whose company is projected to make $2 million in profits this year. At 7 years old she asked her dad why they could not make a healthy lollipop that that is good for one’s teeth. She started experimenting in her parents kitchen and despite some early mishaps such as ruining the kitchen range she now has her dad working full time as manager of the business for her. Her Zollipops are not only tasty but clean the teeth of many children and adults
Every day I read of some young person who has initiated a fund raiser to help others, improve school equipment or initiate an action which will potentially have a positive effect on many people.
It is easy for all of us to get busy with life and look for that shortcut which will save time and energy without thinking of how that decision affects the entire universe. A good example are the small plastic bag, millions of which are affecting the life of much of the rest of the planet including humans who eat the fish or other life form which has eaten or absorbed some of that plastic.
Unbuntu – I am because of you. You are because of me. We are because of each other. They are (all other life forms) because of us as we are because of them.
Written May 7, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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