Interdependence day: we are all connected

The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen awareness of the interdependence of all these living beings, which are all part of one another, and all involved in one another. — Thomas Merton

I am a citizen of the world and the universe. I shy away from any form of nationalism. Division harms us. That doesn’t erase our important differences either. It simply avoids underscoring them.

This is how I’m marking Independence Day here in the USA. Taking pride in our “freedom” the way most people do on this day has never made much sense in light of our entire history which includes enslaving one race of people and committing genocide with another.

Two Declarations of Interdependence:

and

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• The roots of all living things are tied together