Choosing Humanity in a Divided World
Travel has a way of opening our eyes to contrasts. Recently, while journeying through Europe, I found myself deeply moved by two very different images I encountered on the same day.
In Ephesus, Turkey, I saw cats and dogs wandering freely among the ancient ruins. Our guide explained that while these animals are strays, they are cared for by a dedicated group of volunteers. They are vaccinated, fed, and welcomed as part of the community. They belong.
Later that evening, our cruise ship stopped in the middle of the sea. A dinghy filled with refugees - families screaming for help, even a baby on board - was spotted nearby. We waited until the Greek Coast Guard came to their rescue. The contrast shook me: animals cared for and embraced, humans desperate and terrified, begging to be seen and saved.
What Kind of World Do We Want?
This experience made me reflect not only on privilege and immigration but also on my own heritage as an Australian. I realized how often silence surrounds conversations about racism, sexism, and exclusion — and how silence itself is complicity.
For me, the answer lies in choosing a world shaped by kindness, compassion, and listening. We can’t always change global politics, but we can change how we treat the people right in front of us.
Compassion begins with small choices:
Listening without rushing to argue or respond.
Speaking up when we witness cruelty, even with a simple, “That’s not okay.”
Choosing humor that connects, not humor that cuts.
Practicing kindness in everyday interactions — greeting a neighbor, thanking the cashier, honoring the humanity of strangers.
I believe humanity is at its best when we choose care, not only for our families and friends but also for those who look nothing like us, whose lives and struggles are far removed from our own.
So I leave you with a question to carry into your week: Where in your life could you listen with more compassion or act with more kindness?
Because if enough of us refuse silence, if enough of us choose care, perhaps together we can shift the tide toward a more humane world.
Want to go deeper into this reflection? Listen to the full episode of Soul Therapy, with Chelle and join me in exploring how we can care more fully for one another, even in a world that often feels divided.