Hands that shape humanity

Ok, I admit it; I've fallen for Archbishop Desmond Tutu. It all started when Bono sang about of him. I thought, "Who is this guy? If Bono feels the need to sing about him then I want to know more!" Thank you, Bono.

Then years (dare I say a decade) later, I was looking at pictures of Dr. Emoto's water crystals and I found the photo of the word Ubuntu (a previous blog.) When I googled Ubuntu, Desmond Tutu's name came up. My interest was piqued again.

Later, I'm searching through the Iconoclast series (Sundance Channel) and I see there's an episode with Desmond Tutu and what's his name (Richard Branson, a really incredible guy too). I watched and was captivated by Desmond Tutu. He is playful, joyful, and so cute, and I just want to hug him! He lives his truth. He lives the art of letting go, while living intentionally, responsibly, and for the greater good of everyone! He's got it goin' on!

Tonight I decided to google Desmond (so much better than TV), which led me to http://www.handsthatshapehumanity.org/. This is one of the most incredibly beautiful, artistic, and fun positive intent project I've seen. Their message displayed reads "If there is only one message of wisdom you could leave behind for humanity, what would it be?" Hmmm, thought provoking.

I invite you all to ponder this question and the word Ubuntu this holiday season. Consider giving your time, attention, and love. The most precious gifts aren't objects. Recession can never include acts of kindness or Ubuntu. In fact, the more Ubuntu you give, the more there is! What an exciting thought!

I hope you all give plenty of Ubuntu this year and catch the Tutu fever!

In peace,

Jodi

Ubuntu

The word Ubuntu is Dr. Emoto's featured water crystal right now. Ubuntu is defined as the ethic or humanist philosophy focusing on people's allegiance and relations with each other. It is a word derived from Africa.

I love this picture of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela, as well as their definitions of Ubuntu...

Desmond Tutu describes Ubuntu by stating that a person with Ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, for he or she has proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed.

Nelson Mandela says Ubuntu is when a traveller through a country would stop at a village and he didn't have to ask for food or water. Once he stops, the people give him food, entertain him. Ubuntu does not mean that people should not address themselves. The question therefore is ~Are you going to do so in order to enable the community around you to be able to improve?

What thought provoking philosophies. What does Ubuntu mean to you?