Heroes Not Zombies

How can you ever get to know another person? It’s not easy, and it takes time, but more than anything it takes love.

I’m not going to write a big essay on love here, love takes many forms, and whole books have been written about it, but it’s something everyone understands. We know when we feel love, care or compassion for another. We know when we feel loved and cared about. It doesn’t need a lot of dissection.

There seems to be ever more division, hatred, fear and judgement these days, but the counter to all that is, and always will be, love.

When we suspend judgement, refuse to generalise and categorise, then we can open our hearts and minds, and with good intent, listen to “the other”, who will always have a unique story to tell us.

Here’s a wee recommendation for the holiday season. On YouTube you can find a remarkable series of films called “Human”, by Yann Arthus-Bertrand. He filmed people from all walks of life, in a wide variety of countries and cultures, getting them to speak directly to camera, and to say a little about their lives.

I’ve never seen anything quite like this, and have watched it all the way through, as well as returning to particular interviews again and again. Each person looks directly at you, which carries a very particular power. It’s moving, engaging and frequently challenging.

It’s a huge project, but I recommend you check out “Volume 1”. Treat yourself to some time spent in the light of love.