A quick story ~ An anthropologist was studying a tribe in Africa. He set out one day do perform an experiment with the children of the tribe and a basket of candy. He set the basket a distance away and then lined the children up for a race. He told them that the first to reach the basket would win the basket of candy. When he shouted “Go!” he was amazed to see the children grab hands and run together to the basket. When he asked why they told him, “How can one of us be happy when all the others are sad?”
This story was recounted to me today in a daily meditation from an app on my phone known as Calm. The focus was on the meaning and spirit of the Nguni word “Ubuntu”. It refers to being good to others or doing good for the community – the idea that “I am, because you are”. It is a concept of togetherness and recognizes that what I do affects you and vice versa. Our actions have an impact on each other, on all of us, on society and humanity as a whole. Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu said: “We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole world.” Ubuntu is a belief that we are defined by our compassion and kindness towards others.
Remember when we were kids and would hold each other’s wrists like this? We could support a huge weight, I think cheerleaders will recognize this grip, too. It’s just further proof that together we can handle the weight, support the load, lift up the burden. Together. We protect each other and we enjoy the success of each, together.
Be safe, breathe and smile.
We can’t wait to see you, but we will.
Laura
