Reflections on Life and Humanity

One of my friends shared a wonderful website with me and I have not been able to tear my eyes away from it.  Humans of New York was created by a man that lives in New York City and was attempting to geographically pinpoint all the people of New York through street portraits.  What the project turned into was much bigger and more moving than he anticipated.  I share this not because I want to advertise his website, but because it opened my eyes a little this week.

We so often get caught up in our own lives and our own personal realities, that we often forget to really “see” the people around us.  I know, that’s really deep and all, but it’s true.  How often do you notice things about people?  I mean, just notice them?  Then you notice that you noticed that?  Some times that’s all it takes to get a better understand of the people that surround you.

The stories these people share on HONY are funny, brief, moving, outrageous, hilarious, and some times emotional.  It brings you back to the present when you read some of the things people share with this total stranger, this photographer.  It gives a little peak into the life of a stranger and just how awesome we all are.  I don’t mean like, “Dude, that was awesome!”, but more like awe inspiring.  These interactions, however small, could be life changing.  Certainly, reading about them can be.

Don’t forget to look around you today.  Remember we’re all just living our lives.  We’re all individuals and we have the glorious opportunity to be humane and kind to one another.  Say hello to a stranger today and discover something new.