Ubuntu
UBUNTU: So much meaning summed up in a single word. What a wonderful opportunity it creates for each of us to PAUSE and CONSIDER our lives and our CONNECTION to those around us. Friends, siblings, spouses, children - even strangers - who provide us a glimpse into who we are, independently and together. UBUNTU: A philosophy and way of being - instilling a "collective responsibility" to each other, our relationships, our happiness, success and failures. There's an old African story about an anthropologist who
...had been studying the habits and customs of this tribe, and when he finished his work, had to wait for transportation that would take him to the airport to return home. He'd always been surrounded by the children of the tribe, so to help pass the time before he left, he proposeda game for the children to play.He'd bought lots of candy and sweets in the city, so he put everything in a basket with a beautiful ribbon attached. He placed it under a solitary tree, and then he called the kids together. He drew a line on the ground and explained that they should wait behind the line for his signal. And that when he said "GO!" they should rush over to the basket, and the first to arrive there would win all the candies.
When he said "GO!" they all unexpectedly held each others hands and ran off towards the tree as a group. Once there they simply shared the candy with each other and happily ate it. The anthropologist was very surprised. He asked them why they had gone together, especially if the first one to arrive at the tree could have won everything in the basket - all the sweets. A young girl simply replied: "How can one of us be happy if all the others are sad?"
UBUNTU: I celebrated a birthday last weekend. For me, it's always a time of reflection. My husband and children asked what I would like for my birthday, what would I like to do? My reply was the same as always, "Be with you - doing what we do." I realize the older I get the less important it is for me to own things or do things - I simply want to BE. Be in the moment - laugh and sing and be silly - focus on each other and remember why we are a family - enjoying the specialness of each of us and the collective entity that we are. These are the things of life - a life well lived, with intention and happiness. I am happy when we are all happy - this is my UBUNTU - my opportunity to learn, appreciate, celebrate, enjoy, and participate with all people around me. Engaging with each person, each moment as it presents itself, helping where I can, sharing what I have - only then do I understand and appreciate myself, only in my connection to others do I know myself.
