The United Nations has a declaration of human rights that states in the preamble: "This Universal Declaration Of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction."
It has 30 sections, and the 27th states: "Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits." This got me thinking about what it means to participate in life. Certainly, it means different things in different spots around the globe. And, I can appreciate the United Nations boldly stating the ideal for humankind that includes freedom and choice. But I wonder what it really means to participate in life, especially since in my current life stages, I have given up the ideas of goals and long term plans and surrendered, for the most part, to the calling of the moment. I say this with the understanding that what calls me in the moment is a direct result of my life's work, my faith and my internal environment (thoughts, feelings, relationships, attitudes.) This is to say that we never come completely fresh to each moment, we come as we are. Yet, it seems to me, how we present ourselves to each moment allows possibility for change, growth, freedom, love... What do YOU think?
