Reflection
When we identify with something larger than ourselves, that becomes part of who we are. There is so much more to us than just a separate self; our connected self is based on recognizing that we are part of many larger circles. The distinction made between selfishness and altruism is misleading. It is based on a split between helping ourselves (selfishness) and helping others (altruism). When we consider the connected self, we recognize this choice as nonsense. It is from our connected selves that much of what people most value in life merges, including love, friendship, loyalty, trust, relationship, belonging, purpose, gratitude, spirituality, mutual aid, and meaning. When people lose their sense of belonging to larger circles, they lose not only the motivation to act for their communities and environment but also valuable sources of support and resilience.
Adapted from Active Hope, Joanna Macy & Chris Johnstone
Prayer
Let us love one another, for love comes from God.
1 John 4:7
Action
Consider the larger circle to which you belong: family, friends, team, community. How do they impact on you? What is your effect on them. How are you stronger together? What does this imply for you?
Suggested Reading
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Luke 6:31
To love as the Lord loves us means to appreciate the people beside us and to respect their freedom, to love them as they are, gratuitously.
Pope Francis
It can be helpful to think of humanity like a pearl necklace. Each human being is a pearl with distinct characteristics, but underneath there is a string that ties us all together, invisible to the naked eye.”
Gudjon Bergmann
Christ tears away the wall of partition, the self-love, the dividing prejudice of nationality, and teaches a love for all the human family.
Ellen G. White
When the definition of self changes the meaning of self-interest and self-serving motivations changes accordingly.
Marilyn Brewer
Compassion can be put into practice if one recognizes the fact that every human being is a member of humanity and the human family regardless of differences in religion, culture, color and creed. Deep down there is no difference,
Dalai Lama
The really wonderful thing that happened to me when I was in space was this feeling of belonging to the entire universe.
Mae Jemison
We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.
Aldo Leopold
It’s funny: your happiness is contingent on a bigger picture besides just yourself.
Debra Granik