What waits at the end?
Ubuntu. A simple little word.
Ubuntu. I am because you are.
Simple. A simple little word. Very simple.
Try to live it or learn it… You can’t.
It just is. Like breathing. No thinking. Just doing. Like breathing.
It’s looking at your hands and seeing the blood. The blood of others bombing. And flying. And killing. In your name.
It’s walking in the rain and feeling the tears running. The tears of others suffering. And dying.
It’s looking back and seeing the madness. The history of death and destruction. The hatred that fills our past.
It’s having a hole in your soul while living. The hole left by others you couldn’t get to. Those left behind.
It’s taking that last bite and wondering what are they eating. Those who walk this earth with hunger and pain.
It’s closing your eyes and seeing the pictures of children running with guns in their hands. Children losing innocence before their time.
It’s staring out the window and wondering what they are doing today. Those without a home or a roof.
It’s looking at your loved ones and wondering where they are today. Those who are running for their lives.
It’s lying on your bed and feeling them dying next to you. Those who are sick of diseases we can fight but they can’t. Lying on their make-shift deathbeds.
It’s drinking your coffee and wondering about the hands. The hands of the farmer who worked the field and break his back for scraps.
It’s standing at the cliff looking down and wanting to jump. Because you just can’t take it anymore.
It’s looking at my kids and worry about what lies ahead. And what we leave behind.
It’s looking at the women in Africa and across the world. And seeing the men breaking their bodies and their bones. And the scars we see and the scars we don’t want to see.
It’s staring at the sun not knowing where to go. Too many people and too many places. Too much to face.
It’s getting dressed and staring at the seams. Thinking of the hands who made them and the sweat that goes with that.
It’s standing still and looking around. And seeing my friends being hated. And bigotry smothering us. Lies engulf us.
It’s shouting at heaven and asking why. Why can’t the others shout in peace. Why do they need to die. Alone.
It’s looking in the mirror and seeing the fear. The fear for others because you can’t get there fast enough.
Ubuntu. It’s like breathing. It just is. You just do. Believe. Fight. And…
It’s looking at your hands and seeing lines that connect. The lines that connect us all. That makes us one. That makes us. In our name.
It’s walking in the rain and feeling the tears running. The tears of seeing others holding hands. And loving.
It’s looking back and seeing the braveness. The history of defying the odds and of sacrifice. And people making the change for the good to happen.
It’s having a hole in your soul while living. The hole slowly filled by others who love you for who you are. And holding your hand. As we reach for those left behind.
It’s taking that last bite and knowing how beautiful it tastes. These fruits given to us by those we can’t see.
It’s closing your eyes and seeing the pictures of children running with a smile on their face. Children being children no matter where they are. Or what they have.
It’s staring out the window and wondering what they are doing today. And know they have love in their hearts and a pride in their soul.
It’s looking at your loved ones and know how lucky you are. For those who love you for who you are.
It’s lying on your bed and feeling them lying next to you. Those who love you and hold you at night. Lying next to you because you share a love.
It’s drinking your coffee and wondering about the hands. The hands of the farmer who worked the field and loved his land.
It’s standing at the cliff looking down and wanting to shout. Shout to the world you love them. Because of the beauty that lies before you.
It’s looking at my kids and and seeing them grow and love. And know hope lies in their hands.
It’s looking at the women in Africa and across the world. And hearing them laughing in the streets and the markets. And knowing the strength in their bones and in their blood. Carrying the world on their backs with a smile.
It’s staring at the sun and feeling it shine on your face. So many beautiful people and beautiful places. Tomorrow is another day. We fight on.
It’s getting dressed and staring at the seams. Thinking of the hands who made them and how warm they feel when you hold them tight.
It’s standing still and looking around. And seeing my friends finding love. And how we will embrace this world with hope.
It’s looking at heaven and saying thank you. Thank you for making me like this. Making me one of us.
It’s looking in the mirror and seeing the faces. The faces of others smiling at me because they know I am. There. With them. Because I am them.
Ubuntu…
So simple.
I am because you are.
It’s like breathing. I am because you are. I am. Because you are.
Let’s breathe. Let’s be. Let it be.
Just breathe and hold...
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The world is a puzzling place. The answers aren’t that easy to get. And the questions don’t get any easier. But it doesn’t mean we can’t keep on looking and asking. Sometimes I look in the mirror and stare at myself and this little world of ours. And then I write. You can find more of these thoughts at a page I created that captures links to all of these stories in one place. Go to the ”What Are We Doing?” page for these stories. No, it won’t bring you back to this post – it is a seperate page.
