While trying to make sense of the bombings in Austin this phrase keeps popping into my mind over and over. The piece I can’t seem to let go of is how during these tragedies we need a community more than ever yet instead we’re told to beware of the villains. To me this message cultivates a culture of fear and isolation rather than connection and belonging.
“Several decades ago when researchers started asking people how many confidants they had the most common answer was 3 or 4. By 2004 the most common answer was none” (Hari, Lost Connections).
Mother Teresa said, “If you want to change the world go home and love your family”. And I can assume she also meant love your neighbor. Well to be able to love someone, you’d have to know their name first. How many of us know our neighbors? How many people in your city can you call when you’re feeling down?
Many families are spread across different cities including mine. We’ve seen the world, but we don’t see the person standing next to us. We get “home sick” for a home that doesn’t exist. Start with the person that lives next door to you. I know there’s more to be done, but this could be a start. The world is not doomed, and it certainly is not fixed. It doesn’t have to be this way.
