James

I've been thinking a lot lately about a quote I saw in a book shop. It went something along the lines of, "In each of us lies a little of all of us." For me, that just reaffirms the fact that we all really are connected in some way...probably more intimately than we think. However it's the unseen and unspoken, yet heavily sensed social pressures that require us to form into separate little facades that cloud our divine similarities. I honestly do not believe that anyone is born with evil intentions. If you are religious, which I am, we would say that it's because we are all children of a loving, perfect, all-knowing God who has bestowed a little of His benevolent character on each of us. That was affirmed today. James Kim, a news editor from San Francisco was driving with his family home from a Thanksgiving holliday in Oregon when thier car took a wrong turn and hit a snow drift, stranding Kim, his wife, and two young daughters for over a week. With no cell phone signal, and food and sustainment supplies running low, James made a final heroic attempt to save his little family. He left the car with meager clothing and supplies to try and track down help. His wife and children were found safe and well a few days ago while sadly, his body was found today in the rugged and unforgiving Oregon terrain. To me, James personified heroism: he believed in his potential--that he just may have the ability to save his family from destruction, and he wasn't afraid to find out if he did or not. His life and death were selfless. His personality and valour should be emulated.

If that quote rings true, then we need to discover and celebrate our similarities! We are caught up in a world that would tell you to do everything in your power to resist conformity: get a tatoo, get high, quit school, or "stick it to the man." When really, if we all just spent a little time trying to discover the ties that bind us together as a human race, we would be more apt to realize our own potential for good in this world. Deep, deep down, we are all kind, we are all searching for love and affection, we are all scared, and we are all a little "looser-ish", but we all have something to contribute. For me, I hope I can find a little of James Kim in me, in all of us, someday...