One of the first reports I read by MSF/Doctors Without Borders was this annual accounting of the top ten humanitarian crises. 2008 offered plenty of schadenfreude-worthy moments, like CEOs being pressured into giving up their multimillion bonuses and heckled for private jet excesses. It also gave us a new feeling of Main Street solidarity; it may have been possible to perversely delight in the downfall of billionaires, but not in Joe the Plumber's depleted retirement funds. But beyond the global financial meltdown, there were other crises that deserve our collective attention and compassion: war in Eastern Congo, unmet needs in post-cyclone Myanmar, and continuing conflict in Somalia and Sudan.
People want decent lives and that includes everything from the absence of gunfire to clean water to a sense of security in old age. Reading about these crises can make one appreciate the relative abundance, if not fulfillment, that most of us still experience. But to me the basic point is not about feeling appreciative or even being moved to donate or volunteer (though these are good things). It's about staying curious about others and the challenges they face. That's a disposition that's useful in all endeavors, whether you're a parent, partner, teacher, investment banker and/or aid worker. I promise your capacity for empathy and compassion is more like a muscle that gets stronger when exercised than a well that dries up from overuse. But don't take my word for it - give it a try in the new year.
0 comments:
Post a Comment