I recently heard musician Jon Batiste say: “I want to reaffirm people’s humanity’ (speaking of his song, I Just Need You).
Human Rights Day is observed every year on December 10th by the international community.
THIS IS SO COOL
The Declaration is not actually a binding document. However, it did inspire more than 60 human rights instruments. Together they constitute an international standard of human rights. Moreover, another exquisite fact is that the document is available in more than 500 languages. It’s the most translated document in the world.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights sets out a broad range of fundamental rights and freedoms to which all of us are entitled. It guarantees the rights of every individual everywhere, without distinction based on nationality, place of residence, gender, national or ethnic origin, religion, language, or any other status. – UN Human Rights Council
Celebrating Human Rights Day
After the turmoil of the past couple of years, Human Rights Day arrives to remind us of the humanity needed in this world. No matter where you stand on politics, religion, race, gender, nationality–one thing remains, we are all humans. Think of the things that unite us rather than divide us even though nothing should really divide us. Music, for example, who doesn’t like music? Though we all like different genres and styles, we can agree that most everyone loves music. While one might prefer the musings of heavy metal and I personally lean towards a Dean Martin or Tony Bennett on any given Sunday, I can still sit at the same table with my fellow headbanger.
A Personal Ask
I have a personal and simple ask for this Human Rights Day. You don’t need to join a protest or sign any declaration. Just do something nice for someone. Paying a compliment to a stranger will cost you nothing. And you never know how you’re changing someone’s day in the smallest way. I believe in the ripple effect of goodness. For example, the other day my husband and I said let’s pay for someone’s coffee today. We waited in the drive-through line and when we pulled up to the window we said, “We’d like to pay for the car behind us.” The young barista laughed and said, “That’s funny, the car in front of you just paid for you.” We looked at each other and laughed. Imagine if every car following kept that chain going. What a great chain instead of those chain e-mails we receive.
So, I would like to encourage you to do something for a stranger. No matter how big or small. The smallest of gestures can affect someone in the biggest ways.
DOING MY PART
Looking through my son’s baby blue eyes reminds me of the humanity I wish for in the world he will grow up in. It is what has motivated me to be a better person. Moreso, it has pushed me to pursue an idea I had years ago. A year ago I launched a local nonprofit with my husband and business partner on Human Rights Day with the hope of creating heightened awareness, raising funds year-round, and uniting us all on a global scale. I want to take this opportunity to send a heartfelt thank you to my mother. She is the soul of what it means to be compassionate and kind to others, no matter who they are. I could not have gotten this far without her today and in life. Mom, may there be more people like you in this world, showing humanity and respect for one another.
I’ll leave you with a favorite resounding quote of mine:
INDIVIDUALLY, WE ARE ONE DROP. TOGETHER, WE ARE AN OCEAN.
