Here's the thing.

[SheilaT]

Either you understand that we are all connected to each other, or you think your own specific circumstances trump everything else.

John Donne said it best. No man is an island

My personal circumstances matter to me, and shape who I am, what I think about things: female, 65 next week, two grown sons, divorced. Those are not the only things that make me who I am, but they give a decent representation. Someone else is male, under 30, no kids, maybe gay. His life is very different from mine. But if we don't understand that we really are connected to each other we miss something very important.

Any man's death diminishes me,
Because I am involved in mankind

It's not just any man's death diminishing me, but any man's life affects mine, because I am involved in mankind. Until we all understand this, we'll simply be a whole lot of separate persons, with no connection to each other.

I want to say we are all connected. No man is an island.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

1. I believe it was Jon Bon Jovi who said "No man is an island".

Sorry. Stupid "About a Boy" reference. Actually, some of the first lines of the movie. Did I mention I like that movie??

BTW, the movie, in the end, supports your thesis. Even though the main character wanted to be bloody Ibiza.

[SheilaT]

2. Umm, the original "No man is an island"

dates back to John Donne who was born in 1572 and died in 1631.

Universal themes tend to get repeated, but it helps to know the original source.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

3. you may want to read my whole post. I was funnin' you.

[Solly Mack]

4. I've always liked that poem.

[Journeyman]

5. Every particle of matter in the universe has some attraction for every other particle. . . .

One thing I don’t question is that space curves
and returns finally upon itself. Because of this
we look towards ourselves in every direction.

I suggest that you write with colored ink
what we are taught by K’ung Fu-tzü:
Each of us is meant to rescue the world.

~ Evan S. Connell
Points for a Compass Rose
1973

[DeSwiss]

6. You've identified the problem in a nutshell.

Not enough of us yet realize, ''that we are all connected to each other.''

- Yet.

K&R [center][/center]

[Egalitarian Thug]

7. "We are the universe made manifest, trying to figure itself out.

And as we have both learned, sometimes the universe requires a change of perspective." - Delenn

[monmouth3]

8. From another Sheila, great post..n/t K&R

[Mojorabbit]

9. Beautiful nt