Warm greetings.
Yesterday I learned about Pangea Day from my son, Matt. Thank you, Matt! All too often profoundly meaningful and moving events of this nature do not make the news. So I unfortunately heard of this first ever global event after it happened on May 10, 2008. But no matter, for there are so many ripples that reach out to invite us into this wondrous planetary experience in an on-going way.
Matt told me that the Pangea Day video was the most viewed video on U-tube over the weekend. What a great triumph of the Internet! Yes! You can find this extraordinary video here: http://www.pangeaday.org/filmDetail.php?id=101.
The theme and intent of Pangea Day is to invite us all to see the world through each other's eyes. There are films, stories, inspiration, and more included on the Pangea Day website - http://www.pangeaday.org/ - which gift us with glimpses from around the world! and into such an incredible diversity of topics and experiences. The lives of those from all over the planet come alive to our senses and before our eyes as we witness stories of love, sorrow, coming of age, dance, hope, marriage, religion, war, family, music, and more. There are countless beautiful children and people of all ages, nations, races, religions, ethnicity's, and cultures. There is such incredible richness here! In watching the videos and listening to the stories, what comes to mind is the Maori elder quote: "I am you and you are me."
This experience of bringing us face to face with one another - with our sisters and brothers - from all over the world is an antidote, I believe, to the stories we tell ourselves that our differences must keep us divided and that , therefore, there is an "Us" who is naturally somehow better or more entitled than a "Them". Indeed, my experience in exploring Pangea Day was moving, illuminating, and heart-opening. And what better way to invite a deepening dissolution of the distortions that promote polarities and separation than to experience the heartfelt experience of others through the smiles, tears, hopes, and dreams of their day to day lives?
What comes to mind in this moment for me is this bumper sticker I recently saw: If you see yourself in others, how can you harm another? Amen.
There are countless leading authors, film makers, visionaries, peacemakers, and others who contributed to Pangea Day. Included also are inspiring quotes which emerged out of this event ... such as this one: "We have a responsibility to expose ourselves to our world, to see our common humanity, to learn about other people -- not only in times of war, but in times of peace. " - Ishmael Beah, former child soldier and advocate for peace .
I respect and love Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa for the remarkable and courageous peacemaker and visionary that he is. It was he who opened the Pangea Day film with these words: "Hey?! Do you know something? You and I - all of us! - are members of one family. We are sisters and brothers. And we are going to sink or swim together..."
It is so hopeful how many from all over the world and from all different cultures are reaching out to one another, gently and sometimes urgently, calling us all to awaken, to care, to be the change we all wish to see in the world.
Peace ~ Molly
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