Eleanor Roosevelt Spoke Before the United Nations Proposing a Question -- Where After All Do Universal Human Rights Begin?

She went on to say...

In small places, close to home - so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any map of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person: The neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.

--Eleanor Roosevelt's Remarks at the United Nations, March 27, 1953

Here's where it begins for me...

It begins in the heart, it begins in the eyes of a new baby, it begins by looking at the world in a new way.  It begins by taking ancient hatreds and turning them into present loves.  It begins by taking that moment when you recognize someone can use extra kindness and you give it.  It begins by relaxing our defendedness and opening our hearts.  It begins by opening the door for someone to walk through.  It begins by shining light in the darkness to lead the way home.  It begins by complimenting someone on what they are doing right.  It begins by honoring the small and the imperfect for the gifts they bring to the world.  It begins in each breath we take where we do not react to what someone has said, instead we respond with love.   It begins by celebrating what is working in our lives.  It begins by cherishing the people in our lives and their way of being in the world.  It begins in our neighborhoods and our churches and blocks and grocery stores and networks.  It begins with turning off messages that are bringing divisiveness and fear into our homes.  It begins by releasing the separation and embracing universal human rights by deciding every day to act with compassion.  It begins by taking a step forward in what needs to be done in your home to promote harmony. 

It begins with deciding to enter the conversation.

 

 

It begins with you. 

 

 

In each breath, each moment, each day, you take the opportunity to choose again.

 

 

Choose to leave everything better than you found it, better for your presence and visitation.  As Maya Angelou says 'when you know better, do better.'

Let's do better.

 

 

Seriously.

The NOW watch brought to you by The Long Now Foundation

Check into what The United Nations is doing NOW.

Stay your course, do your thing with love, be a light unto yourself.  

Ask in the quiet space of your heart what is the biggest priority for your house, your neighborhood, your community and take action.  Do not stop, until it is completed.

If you know how it begins, you know how it ends... 

lots of love,

Melanie