A Thursday Thought from a famous Russian author and philosopher:
“Compassion is the chief law of human existence.”– Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Tag Archive for humanity
Man and the Beauty of Life
Reread these short twenty words several times. They may cause you to look differently at the next sad, sour, homeless person you meet. This is a Thursday Thought worth carrying with us.
“If a man cannot understand the beauty of life, it is probably because life never understood the beauty in him.” — Criss Jami
Those Items from Your Remodel Job are Valuable!
DON’T THROW AWAY THAT DOOR, FIXTURES, APPLIANCES, OR OTHER ITEMS FROM WHEN YOU REMODELED. Donate them to a Habitat for Humanity ReStore. That’s a nonprofit home-improvement store that accepts new or gently used building materials, appliances, furniture, and home accessories and sells them to the public at fantastic prices.
Money from sales goes to help build homes for families, who earn those homes by putting in mandatory “sweat equity” in building the structures.
Recently we remodeled our kitchen, including new lighting. I took in the old lights, expecting them to be rejected because, although in good shape, they’re old fashioned round globe/brass and wood frames. They were happily accepted by the Habitat worker. You can bet I’ll be back with other items and, when I have more time, to shop around.
Most states have a ReStore. Find one in your area by going to www.habitat.org/env/restores.aspx?place=us and searching your state. Then use the place to donate and shop. (By the way, some ReStores will pick up your items at your house. Call to find out.)
The Humanity of Einstein
We think of Albert Einstein as the most influential physicist of the 20th century and one of the greatest scientists of all time. Here’s a glimpse at his humanity:
“Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.” — Albert Einstein
Rx for Down-on-Humanity Syndrome
If you have post-Christmas blues or feel that the world is going to Hell, I prescribe “26 Moments that Restored Our Faith in Humanity this Year.” It’s floating around in various formats, but my favorite–with its movement, sound, and musical background–is on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziApDm1KhmE
Put it on full screen and be uplifted by these 3 1/2 minutes!
Thoughtful Thursday: Who We Can Love
“It is easier to love humanity than to love one’s neighbor.” — Eric Hoffer
[Isn’t it odd that we can all love in the abstract but are hesitant or fearful to love those around us who are different from us?]