A GHOST OF A CHANCE

Why do some people see the rationale of joining forces and working together and others put themselves first at all cost?

Some see the value in the work and the process when some see their stake in the outcome. I just watched Ashton Kutcher break down in front of a congressional hearing speaking about his work against human trafficking. Here is a man who spends his wealth helping victims of modern day sex slavery who works long hours who has an organization solely to do this work. He goes on raids with the FBI and sees things that cannot be unseen because somebody must.

Then we have celebrities who are so self-absorbed who use their wealth to gain high office and act like spoiled five-year old’s. The rich and powerful do themselves and others a disservice when they think only of themselves and the ones close to them and do nothing for anyone else. Of course, they are not obligated to, yet their lack to use what they must to do good work for their fellow man.

We are all familiar with Ebenezer Scrooge and how that turned out. He only truly lived when he saw the benefits to helping his fellow man and the metamorphoses that occurred when he did. We should not have to be haunted by specters of our collective unconscious to make this happen. But, perhaps that is what is needed.

Buddha taught that humankind’s suffering is caused by desire. The desire or the attachment to someone or something or the aversion of someone or something. The desire for a better outcome or conclusion does not create suffering, it creates joy and helps the common good.

Unfortunately, the common good is uncommon for those who think only of their needs which create suffering for everyone. I will never count anyone out, give up that perhaps within them is a seed of our collective humanity. That maybe, just maybe at the right time under the right circumstances that that person be he or she the President of the Unites States or a refugee from a war-torn country climb the summit of our shared purpose to reach down and lift other’s up and into the light of a better and brighter tomorrow.

Jeff S Turnbull