Internationalism has a commercial aspect to it, a sociological aspect to it, and a Humanitarian aspect to it. I do not take enough time to speak of those small things that individuals can do which can literally change the lives of a multitude of others. It is in these acts that we use the most positive aspects of cultural and financial arbitrage, and combine them with the soul's longing to see joy where there is poverty and sorrow.
As the author of The Internationalist Page Blog I have failed to place the emphasis on the leverage of love that it rightfully and righteously deserves.
The story is simple. A colleague of a friend's decided to go to visit some of the poorer people of a technologically-challenged region in Peru -- just for the experience of learning and teaching. Prior to making her trip, she purchased a box of assorted non-prescription reading glasses from a bargain store. She knew that the people with whom she was going to meet had neither the money nor the access to these very inexpensive reading glasses (my ophthalmologist calls them "cheaters") that I buy a new pair of monthly -- without a second thought.
On her arrival, this young lady, in a purely selfless expression of the divine portion of her Humanity, handed out every pair of glasses to some of the older villagers. These people had not been able to read or write, or to thread a needle, or do any close work for years because they had become increasingly far-sighted with the onset of old age.
This young lady had given them the miraculous gift of vision. On her own. At her own expense. Without a second's hesitation. Just being as thoughtful as we all could be if we looked into ourselves far enough to find the connection to all of Humanity there.
Think about it: The gift of vision to older villagers who never thought that they would ever be able to see again! What had cost this young woman so little did so much good. Had she been an investment portfolio manager in the capital markets, the ROI on her assets would have put her on the front page of the Wall Street Journal. The return on her investment was so large as to be immeasurable in any terms. She gave these people the gift of vision.
It goes further and deeper though - her act of caring gave me the gift of vision, too... As in the lyrics of a song which I haven't sung in quite some time, "Was blind/ but now I see..."
I hope that this slight departure from my cold analysis of Internationalism and global affairs has given you back some of the sight that you may have lost along the disillusioning and oftimes painful path to adulthood.
Be thoughtful. Be mindful. Be kind. These are crucial components to being Human, and if we don't constantly keep them at the forefront of our minds, we risk our own Humanity, and all of the potential of Human civilization.
Douglas E. Castle for The Internationalist Page Blog, The Global Futurist Blog, and The CrowdFunding Incubator Blog (new - so please view!)
Please pay this article forward to everyone about whom you care, and shout it out through all of your social media. Too many of us live in this certain kind of blindness. Let it not be this way.
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