GINTA – Standing together takes us where we need to go

IT WAS LAST YEAR that I was camping with my family in a paradisiacal spot somewhere on the Shuswap. We were ready for the usual things we do on a camping trip, but because the weather was just right and the beaches were still empty, our youngest asked for a lot of beach time. I obliged, glad to have tucked a book in my backpack just in case.

I ended up reading more than I do on such an occasion and the book was a memorable one. One of the quotes that stood with me was ‘The beauty and the tragedy of the modern world is that it eliminates many situations that require people to demonstrate a commitment to the collective good.’ (Sebastian Junger, Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging.)

There were so many valuable thoughts to share with the world in that book that I ended up reading out loud to my family here and there while the beach activities were unfolding. The conversations that ensued were precious.

Back to my quote and related content in the book. I was reminded of the concept of ‘shared humanity’, which Junger discusses at length, over the last few days since the Trans Canada pipeline construction was approved by the federal government and expectedly, that caused a social (and political) rift yet again.

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Daniela Ginta is a mother, scientist, writer and blogger. She can be reached at daniela.ginta@gmail.com, or through her blog at http://www.danielaginta.com.