It amazes me how ready people are to come together when catastrophe strikes- both the communal that affects large portions of an area (like the floods in Kerrville area, or our own in Houston), or the much more personal (my cancer diagnosis & surgery).
People seem fundamentally wired to pull together. I wonder what structural/system changes could encourage that, while still honoring individual freedoms/autonomy.
I was just having a conversation with someone who felt human nature was intrinsically individualistic. I disagreed and have been thinking about it ever since. Stories like these highlight the opposite. Glad you are ok!
I find this right in my neighborhood; I've seen neighbors want to tear each other apart, but when something happens (hurt child, loose dog, house fire, lawn care, etc.), compassion appears. A bright spot in the madness.
Thank you Karen for sharing the event and your reflections. I was reminded of Rutger Bregman's book, Humankind: A Hopeful History. He demonstrates through research and stories that what you experienced is our default setting. Taking care of each other is what we are made for. Thanks again.
What a beautiful and timely read, Karen! As a strong advocate for "compassion is at our core", I am also aware that evolution bestowed us with some other wiring that is now less necessary, adaptive or beneficial. Thank Goodness, science proves we can cultivate the better wiring! Thank you for your role in promoting that perspective❤️.
Wow, Karen. Thanks for sharing this story through your particular lens of communal compassion. We need every story we can get about the human bonds that are right there when we’re willing to trust them.
It amazes me how ready people are to come together when catastrophe strikes- both the communal that affects large portions of an area (like the floods in Kerrville area, or our own in Houston), or the much more personal (my cancer diagnosis & surgery).
People seem fundamentally wired to pull together. I wonder what structural/system changes could encourage that, while still honoring individual freedoms/autonomy.
Let’s take care of each other.
This was equal parts terrifying and inspiring. I needed that. And a margarita. SO GLAD YOU'RE OKAY.
I was just having a conversation with someone who felt human nature was intrinsically individualistic. I disagreed and have been thinking about it ever since. Stories like these highlight the opposite. Glad you are ok!
I find this right in my neighborhood; I've seen neighbors want to tear each other apart, but when something happens (hurt child, loose dog, house fire, lawn care, etc.), compassion appears. A bright spot in the madness.
Thank you Karen for sharing the event and your reflections. I was reminded of Rutger Bregman's book, Humankind: A Hopeful History. He demonstrates through research and stories that what you experienced is our default setting. Taking care of each other is what we are made for. Thanks again.
What a beautiful and timely read, Karen! As a strong advocate for "compassion is at our core", I am also aware that evolution bestowed us with some other wiring that is now less necessary, adaptive or beneficial. Thank Goodness, science proves we can cultivate the better wiring! Thank you for your role in promoting that perspective❤️.
That was beautiful. Thanks for sharing. Hope for humanity!
(and I'm SO glad you're ok!!!)
Wow, Karen. Thanks for sharing this story through your particular lens of communal compassion. We need every story we can get about the human bonds that are right there when we’re willing to trust them.
I am so grateful that you and your family and everyone else on that plane made it safely!
Also, heck yeah and unlimited high-fives to, "let's take care of each other, everyone."
Your beautiful writing brought me to tears. Thank you for sharing.
A lovely thought to have. Thanks for sharing.