I'm writing this on the night of October 13, and the last of the Chilean miners is just about to exit the mine that has held him and his co-workers trapped for two months.
With all the trouble in the world, once again, people across the world have come together, at least virtually, to share in the drama of these miners, trapped but still alive, until finally they were hoisted up through a narrow channel drilled into the rock.
More than anything else, this kind of drama shows that despite all the fractured feelings in the world, despite the "us versus them" mindset, people still come together to help, care, and worry about the underdog -- the downtrodden, the troubled.
It's a good sign for the world, if the world's "leaders" don't go and goof it all up.
There would be those people who would tell you that the world has gone to hell in a hand basket. Some days, I may even agree with them. But for the most part, there is a lot of good in this world, and a lot of great people who are willing to dedicate themselves to make life better.
You wouldn't think that it'd be that way. Common sense tells you that people tend to think about their own needs, wants, and desires. In fact, there are entire social theories based on that assumption. Why, then, do we get so involved in a news story when a child is hurt, or an elderly person is harmed, or a person loses his or her job? Why is it that we're all so caught up in the job losses that have been happening, and the people being evicted from their homes, or the drama of a group of miners trapped underground for two months?
Could it be that people are inherently good? Could it be that most of us (there are exceptions, unfortunately) are basically trying to do the right thing? Could it be there is a great deal of positive hoping, praying, and thinking in this world of ours?
Yes -- I think that's it.
Despite all the negative energy in the world, the people of this world are largely good. Sure, if you cut them off on the freeway, you might get back a nasty look, and "half" a wave -- but given another circumstance, those same people may risk their neck to save your life.
I remain convinced that most people are pretty decent, despite the people who attempt to break into my computer systems, and despite the misguided Nigerians who keep sending me spam claiming to be the long lost nephew of the 2nd cousin of some dead ruler.
Basically, people are good -- and let's hope that continues.
Ah -- the Wall Street Journal just reported that the last miner is above ground.
Good for them -- and for us.
Copyright, 2010, by Daryl R. Gibson. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the non-commercial redistribution of this document as long as it remains intact with this copyright and all other lines. This license does not extend to the use of this material in a compilation, whether for profit or non-profit use. Join us at http://www.Weekdaywisdom.com.
