many of us talk about how things need to change in this world, but how many of us talk about changing ourselves -- first?
from the Do No Harm website:
"We seem to be living in a world that is getting less hospitable every day. Look closely at any endeavor our species has engaged in and it appears we are unaware of the harm we do, we ignore the harm we do, we intentionally do harm for our own gain, or sadly in some cases we do harm for our own pleasure and enjoyment.
Has no one taught us to do no harm?
If we haven't been taught to do no harm, we see no harm in doing harm. We cause harm and shrug it off. We cause harm and laugh about it. We cause harm and brag about it.
Sadder still, our children bear witness to our actions and never learn to do no harm themselves. Above all else we must teach our children, by example and instruction, this basic moral principle of life.
We must begin to make better choices and treat each other, the other creatures who share this planet with us, and this planet we call home with greater respect and compassion.
We believe that the first and most basic moral law is, "Do no harm." Because we can feel pain and suffering, we can imagine the pain and suffering of others, and we can act accordingly to minimize the harm we cause."
When the Holocaust is discussed, people say that the Germans did nothing when they watched the trains roll by that carried the Jews to the concentration camps. but how many trains are rolling by each of us today and we do nothing?
change begins with us.
Excellent post. It's the simple messages that make the most sense. We can ramble on and on about world peace and how to achieve it, but it boils down to one thing...do no harm.
ReplyDeleteNice new blog, kiddo!!!! I've gotcha on my blogroll, so I'll be by often. Thanks for stopping by my place,like you said, we gals from Chicago have to stick together!
I like that a lot- wow.
ReplyDeleteThis is hitting me hard today- in a good way.
Peace sister!
I wish to live in a kinder and more compassionate world.
ReplyDeleteThat's it.
We can philosophize and meditate about what do no harm means, and delve ever
deeper into the essence of doing no harm, but the simple truth is, all that
philosophy and meditation, all that searching for the essence, means little
without a kind and compassionate world to practice in.
If we are to create a kinder and more compassionate world, our simple
message of “do no harm” must make its way into the hearts and minds of those who
need it the most – all 7 billion of us
I have many friends of all different religions, beliefs, backgrounds,
politics, social status and just about any other diversity you care to think of.
When we get together, we do so as friends, and we enjoy each others company in
spite of everything else. Yeah, we argue a bit, but we all respect each other
and our differences. In fact, I think it just may be our differences we
enjoy about each other most.
But one thing we all know; if one falls down, the rest will extend a helping
hand. If one is under duress, we all will come to their rescue.
We know and trust each other not to take advantage, or do any harm.
That is the kind of world we should and must have.
In that kind of world doing no harm is not a hard thing to do, it's not
something we even have to think about, it just comes naturally, in fact, in a world
of friends doing no harm is easy.
We need a world of 7 billion friends.
Thank you for being one of them! ;o)
Do No Harm
chuck
What a beautiful reminder.
ReplyDeleteYes, be the change you want to see in the world.