Human
By Simon Kellogg
I am a distant student of the late great Poet Maya Angelou and I live by a line that she herself quoted quite often:
“I AM A HUMAN BEING, NOTHING HUMAN CAN BE ALIEN TO ME!”
This line is from the play "Self-Tormentor" written by Terence (Publius Terentius Afer), a Roman playwright in 165 B.C.
I believe we share in a likeness with the genocidal dictator, the rapist, and the racist in this human experience. We have all the components to behave negatively. The key to overcoming internal conflict for me is acknowledging these facts.
I acknowledge that I possess the energy to be negative so I will have negative days. I acknowledge when I am behaving or thinking negative as I sometimes do.
BUT the same Humans who have the power to do harm, have the power and components to make the world more incredible. In the middle of chaos and uncertainty I vow to accept the part I play and then use my energy constructively instead of destructively.
In 2016, I wrote these words in my book of poetry:
We humans are not infallible, but we are valuable, amazing, and equipped to fight the negativity of the world and in ourselves with fierce love.
My individual responsibility is to be a source of laughter, a place of openness, and a beacon of hope for everyone and everything that was created.
So, whatever you are, whoever you are be self-aware, be inspiring, be you!
Human.
