Humanness

What makes us human? Is it the fact we walk upright? Maybe it is our behavior that sets us apart from other species. I wonder sometimes why animals tend to behave better than humans. As humans, our behavioral traits do set us apart and sometimes can lead to our downfall. I have always believed that we all have what I call the components of humanness. These are compassion, humility, kindness, empathy, and understanding. One of the most important components of humanness is compassion, our ability to have sympathy or concern for others. Understanding and empathizing with our fellow humans grounds us as individuals, and teaches us humility. Humility lets our humbleness shine through and allows us to live a life not constrained by pride. Our ability to show kindness without restrictions to be considerate to others is no doubt an indication of our generosity to mankind. The willingness to be generous is not confined by how much we give to charity. It can simply be the time spent with those we love, causes we volunteer for, or just mentoring and providing the appropriate guidance and direction to someone. As human beings, if we can not empathize with others, we are just simply lost souls without cause to exist. The ability to relate to or share the feelings of others is simply the basis of our humanness.

"The only bond worth anything between human beings is their humanness." - Jesse Owens

"God's dream is that you and I and all of us will realize that we are family, that we are made for togetherness, for goodness, and for compassion." - Desmond Tutu

"Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues." - Confucius

“Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another, and feeling with the heart of another.”

– Alfred Adler

“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” – Albert Einstein

"Great teachers emanate out of knowledge, passion, and compassion." - A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.” ― Plato

The lack of empathy is often evident in narcissistic people who care more for themselves and less for others. Finally, it brings me to the understanding that if you don't understand or you are clueless about the needs of others, you will never live a life that is fulfilled. Our life interactions and experiences teach us so much over time once we can reflect on it. We can then identify all these components and cherish the moments when we first learned about them.  During our lifetime, lessons are learned, sometimes in the simplest of ways and at times in the harshest of ways. Nonetheless, when we learn, we evolve as individuals; the willingness to learn begins with your individual initiative steps taken. As we learn to adapt and become better human beings, our ability to relate to others will no doubt enhance. Our compassion for others will always be returned in kind. Compassionate people have garnered more respect within our society.  Our sense of humility is no doubt a noticeable characteristic trait of modesty: be simple and live happily. It is not expensive to be kind, neither does it cost people an arm and a leg. The willingness to be charitable is to instill hope in the less fortunate among us. Empathizing with others is a true indication of the human spirit, especially during times of need. When we are tested on so many levels, we begin to understand what it feels like to be helpless. A lifetime of hardships grounds our understanding of others and what we would do if, God forbid, we were faced with a life of uncertainty. I have personally seen these components of humanness shown unto me over the years, and as a result, I am forever grateful to all those individuals I have crossed paths with over the years.

"Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive." - Dalai Lama

"Our human compassion binds us the one to the other - not in pity or patronizingly, but as human beings who have learned how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future." - Nelson Mandela

“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” ― Lao-Tzu

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” ― Oscar Wilde

“You can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!” ― Anne Frank

"Pride divides the men, humility joins them." - Socrates

“Kindness begins with the understanding that we all struggle.”  — Charles Glassman

“Kindness is the only service that will stand the storm of life and not wash out.” ― Abraham Lincoln

A time for reflection, especially when you are at a crossroads in life, is often the best time to assess your life and appreciate the gifts and lessons you have learned. Maybe I am a bit sentimental right now, or maybe it is just the medication I am taking. Nonetheless, some clarity and reflection are always welcomed. It is amazing when you are at your weakest; you see the best of what humanity has to offer and, at times, the worst of what humanity has to offer. I am sure that you all have met many individuals who display these qualities,  not because they have to, but because it is who they are. I have learned the best qualities since I was a child; we have learned them from our parents, teachers, neighbors, and many others. Maybe it was the kindness of a stranger that made us realize what we are missing in our individual lives. It could have been the compassion that a child shows that stopped us in our tracks and made us think, why did not I think of that? The humility shown by others, helps us reflect on our past actions and adjust our future reactions. The empathy shown to us teaches us the importance of being relatable to the needs of others. In our time of need, and someone showers us with understanding, let us know we are not alone.  We all can learn from each other; fundamentally, the willingness to learn matters. We may all not have the components of humanness, but at least we can strive to attain them. I strongly believe a life not lived, is a life not fulfilled. It is only when we walk in the shoes of our fellow mankind, that will we truly understand the depth of humanness.

"My mission in life is not merely to survive but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." - Maya Angelou

“Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life.” — Jackie Chan

"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

"Humility forms the basis of honor, just as the low ground forms the foundation of a high elevation." - Bruce Lee

"If we learn not humility, we learn nothing." - John Dewey

“Never be so busy as not to think of others.”

— Mother Teresa

“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.”

― Amelia Earhart

“This is my simple religion. No need for temples. No need for a complicated philosophy. Your mind, your own heart is the temple. Your philosophy is simple kindness.”

― Dalai Lama