Everybody has a story and it’s impossible to understand
Did you know that everyone has a story? Everyone has their dreams, their strengths, their weaknesses, their fears, and their history? Every person that you meet, whether they are in car, work as your waitress, or the person behind the counter, there is a reason that they are there. The people that you interact with, do you know what they are doing when they go home? Or do you realize how many people’s stories have been altered because of something you have done? There are more than 6 billion different stories out there and no human mind can comprehend that.
One can say that this is because of the monkeysphere, a limitation on the human brain that will only let us comprehend up to 150 of these stories. No matter how hard you try, you will only be able to truly care about 150 people including your family, closest friends, neighbors, and yourself. The garbage man will only be in your mind as the ‘garbage man’ and it will be impossible to understand that he probably has a loving family, his own hobbies, and a reason why he needs his job. All the garbage men in the world could have died and you wouldn’t really care but if your best fried died you would cry but aren’t they both human? So why the limitation?
I really want to try to understand more people’s stories. On one of my travels, I saw a malnourished 10 year old girl working in a pawn shop. I kept wondering to myself, “Why is she there? Is she treated alright? What does she do for fun?” And during that same week I met with a major financial tycoon and his son. The same questions were running through my head. This world is so diverse and I wish I can learn about more people’s stories. Web 2.0 and blogs only give you the very tip of someone’s whole stories. I am writing my dream and my story on this blog so right now it’s Can The World Hear Me… but it should also be Can I Hear The World?
~Kevin X
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Amazing!
I was thinking similar thoughts last week.. (please visit.. http://zafarhalim.blogspot.com/2007/10/how-will-you-live.html)
I agree that not all hear all that is going on.. or participate, preferring the comfort of a certain shell or comfort zones. New vistas open up only when we gather the courage to break thru those comfort zones.
“There is no darkness, only an absence of Light.
There is no eveil, only a fear of the unknown..”
I’ve often shared this same feeling. In my own life I try not to disregard anyone because of the fact that everyone DOES have a story and I believe it has the right to be told and heard. But you are right its simply impossible to hear or care about everyones at the same time. I’m interested to hear more of your story and others, great post!
What a moving post. Something that we should all be thinking about on a daily basis. This world would be a much better place if we did. Thanks for sharing.
holy freaking crap why did I not find your guys blog back in my Scythe’s Edge days????? my new blog isnt as good anymore, but id love for you guys to read it because well lets say we are similar except for the fact that i am all alone in my area.
Anyways, awesome posts, reminds me of me i guess you could say. you get a link on the blog roll hooray!
Hey guys, excellent blog. I’ll be checking out what you have to say. As for this topic, I just try my best to live aware of the moment. To view every encounter as destiny and opportunity, no matter how brief or random…and be ready to have some kind of constructive engagement. It may be a kind word, a smile, a second’s eye contact in a fast and anonymous world. It may be more. A listening ear, a ride, a burger for the homeless guy on the bench…Even though it may only be a fleeting moment, that doesn’t mean it isn’t significant. It’s not always about time. But it IS always about heart.
It would definately be wonderful if we could care about everyone in the world and give them all a piece of our attention and our thoughts. Unfortunately, you have to think about this, if you dedicated a part of yourself to each person that you brushed or breezed into the life of and took on their problems you would have no time in your life for your own. Unless your life is perfect and needs no adjusting, but I doubt that for some reason, is the situation. Simply put, you would ultimately go insane. I won’t go all religious or anything, but the best policy is to reach out to those in need at their time of need. If the “garbage man” happens to be in need, then you could focus on him, but if his family is happy and they’re all doing well, move on and find someone who could use your time, your thoughts, your prayers or just your special touch in their life.
Awesome post. Thanks for the good read.
[...] For Breakfast I came across this post at Cantheworldhearme and it touched on a topic that I have been dealing with for years. The author [...]
zafar9: You have a great point as well. Technology really influences the social world today and in today’s world of globalization, it is even more important to understand other people’s stories.
blushingbeauty83: Thank you for the support and understanding other people is the mind’s best nirvana.
Syd: Glad you liked the post and hope you keep reading this blog.
decayedsoul: Haha I’m sorry I do not know about Scythe’s Edge but your new blog holds potential. Keep writing and I’ll read.
firedancer: All your views are just like mine. Everything you mentioned is another random act of kindness and that is the best form of human heart. Everything is truly significant.
dude. i think this is nyc all the time
Karma: You also bring up a very good point. It is physically impossible to help everyone without being superman but it is possible to have an influence on many many people. Everyone has such a unique story that we as humans should be willing to understand each other and willing to help. That is what CanTheWorldHearMe is all about.
Jonathan: Thanks for the comment, its much appreciated.
Very astute, poignant, and deep observation you have there. You’re right. Everyone has a story. Every person who comes into contact with us - no matter how brief - has a story. It’s our own human limitations that prevent us from absorbing/appreciating all of them. The world would be a far, far, better place if we could give every person their due.
Raidah: You hit the nail on the head there with that comment. The world is so interlinked that we should all do our part as humans and hear everyone’s story.
I share your thoughts. Do you also feel the urge to act upon the stories? That out of the few billion stories in the world, we hear a few dozen ones coz we’re supposed to do something about them??
CW: I try to do my best to act upon those stories. Even these comments this post received might have been destined to come to me so that I might have the opportunity to meet someone new.
[...] a landmark view count like 1,337 but yesterday was a very impressive day. This thought-provoking post somehow got to the front page of wordpress.com and stayed there for a phenomenal 2 hours. I’m [...]
[...] might just be the fault of our society or poor parenting. But this brings me back to my post about everyone’s story and the monkeysphere and how it is impossible for the human mind to care for everyone at once. So [...]
[...] might just be the fault of our society or poor parenting. But this brings me back to my post about everyone’s story and the monkeysphere and how it is impossible for the human mind to care for everyone at once. So [...]
[...] a landmark view count like 1,337 but yesterday was a very impressive day. This thought-provoking post somehow got to the front page of wordpress.com and stayed there for a phenomenal 2 hours. I’m [...]