No big discovery in life, but sometimes it's the small things in life that give us the greatest rewards.
I was on my way home from the gym this morning and there was a car in front of me pulled off to one side, struggling to move, smoke was coming out from under the hood. I drove past at first, but looking in my rear view mirror I knew I could not continue on and leave someone behind, someone that might need help. So I made a u turn and drove back. I rolled down my window and asked the driver if she needed help, and she did. So I let her use my cell phone to make a call and then gave her a ride to her home. She profusely thanked me.
Why is it when I help someone it makes me feel grateful in my heart. I think part of it is identification with others. I believe that identification is sorely lacking in society, and something that is so greatly needed. One of my favorite philosophers, Jacques Rancière, said in his book The Ignorant Schoolmaster, " Evil does not come from the first person who bethought himself to say, "This is mine." It comes from the first person who bethought himself to say, "You are not my equal." Identification with others brings us to a place of equality with others.
What does your mind think today? My mind sometimes thinks a lot, thus the reason I get on my soapbox. But it is not a soapbox of superiority, it is a soapbox that longs for a world of love and kindness and forgiveness. I identify with Rachel Carson when she said, "I am an idealist." Some things are truly not practical, but when a person is guided by a moral belief of helping others practicality is not always taken into consideration. A million other thoughts could invade the mind to dissuade what the heart knows to be right. I could philosophize on it until the cows come home, but I only know this one thing, I am thankful that I was able, in some small way, to help that lady.
I leave you with some words from Bob Marley, "Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery None but ourselves can free our minds." When the heart knows love, freedom of the mind is not far behind.
I was on my way home from the gym this morning and there was a car in front of me pulled off to one side, struggling to move, smoke was coming out from under the hood. I drove past at first, but looking in my rear view mirror I knew I could not continue on and leave someone behind, someone that might need help. So I made a u turn and drove back. I rolled down my window and asked the driver if she needed help, and she did. So I let her use my cell phone to make a call and then gave her a ride to her home. She profusely thanked me.
Why is it when I help someone it makes me feel grateful in my heart. I think part of it is identification with others. I believe that identification is sorely lacking in society, and something that is so greatly needed. One of my favorite philosophers, Jacques Rancière, said in his book The Ignorant Schoolmaster, " Evil does not come from the first person who bethought himself to say, "This is mine." It comes from the first person who bethought himself to say, "You are not my equal." Identification with others brings us to a place of equality with others.
What does your mind think today? My mind sometimes thinks a lot, thus the reason I get on my soapbox. But it is not a soapbox of superiority, it is a soapbox that longs for a world of love and kindness and forgiveness. I identify with Rachel Carson when she said, "I am an idealist." Some things are truly not practical, but when a person is guided by a moral belief of helping others practicality is not always taken into consideration. A million other thoughts could invade the mind to dissuade what the heart knows to be right. I could philosophize on it until the cows come home, but I only know this one thing, I am thankful that I was able, in some small way, to help that lady.
I leave you with some words from Bob Marley, "Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery None but ourselves can free our minds." When the heart knows love, freedom of the mind is not far behind.
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