We are family and as humans, WE HAVE THE SAME BASIC NEEDS (fact).

DEFINITION of HUMAN: ANY individual of the genus Homo, especially a member of the species SAPIENS (wise). Let’s be wise and step back from our emotions (mindful pause) and understand that fulfillment of basic needs is the right of everyone. Learn how to communicate with compassion and practice graceful acceptance of people who superficially appear different from you.

A LITTLE HISTORY

Carolus Linnaeus (a Swedish Botanist) in 1758 created a uniform system for naming organisms.  Each organism belongs to a GENUS (a biological classification) and is further defined by common characteristics and is capable of interbreeding (SPECIES); hence the origin of Homo sapiens.

NOW FOR MORE BIOLOGY

TAXON (a group of organisms classified as a UNIT)

DOMAIN-Eukaryote (or Eukaryota)- our cells contain a true nucleus (where our genetic material is stored).

KINGDOM -Animalia

PHYLUM-Chordata

CLASS- Mammalia

ORDER-primates

FAMILY- we are family: HOMINIDAE (FACT)

GENUS-homo

SPECIES- sapiens (all humans form a UNIT at this level).  We are all characterized by an upright (erect) posture, bipedal movement, complex levels of manual dexterity, language skills that are elaborate and open-ended, larger and complex brains, and we have advanced societies.

ONE MORE DEFINITION

SOCIETY: defined as a group of individuals involved in PERSISTENT social interaction, spatially or territorially and SUBJECT TO THE SAME POLITICAL AUTHORITY and DOMINANT cultural expectations.

ALL HUMANS HAVE THE SAME BASIC NEEDS

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN NEEDS ARE PERSISTENTLY & CONSISTENTLY NOT MET?

• Frustration develops
• Pain and suffering mount
• Fear and worry grow
• Anger and hostility break through

THE 2 MOST POWERFUL EMOTIONS

I often thought that the most powerful emotion was LOVE; however, what motivates most people to ACT is not love. Instead the two most POWERFUL EMOTIONS that drive the MAJORITY OF OUR ACTIONS are: FEAR & DESIRE.

We fear that our safety is being threatened and because we desire to be counted as valid members of our species, we act out. Sadly, that action can often be destructive.

LOVE IS STILL THE ONLY ANSWER

WE HAVE SO MUCH IN COMMON but fear reigns instead of LOVE. Fear can be destroyed if we start a conversation with each other and trust God to guide us. Examine your behaviors and see if they are in alignment with your values. Are your values built on LOVE?

WHY CAN’T WE ALL JUST LIVE IN HARMONY ? Answer: We do not understand how to LOVE unconditionally!