This blog was written by LFC team member, Julia Connolly.
Most of us recognize the value of honoring our interconnectedness and fostering strong, positive relationships. Yet, this understanding often gets overshadowed by familiar arguments:
“Sure, coming together to slow down and talk about our feelings is a nice idea, but there are more pressing needs to be met and we’re all exhausted.”
“I’d like to be more creative and collaborative in my work, but I’m already struggling to get through the essentials.”
“My community matters to me, but we’re all busy and don’t always have the same ideas, experiences, or priorities.”
These perspectives are valid, AND, at LFC, we believe that society cannot function effectively – we cannot do the work we need to do – if we fail to put Humanity First.
Why do we get stuck at “not yet”?
Humans have an innate tendency to organize information into categories and hierarchies – it helps us understand the unfathomably complex world we live in. We struggle to hold multiple truths simultaneously, often choosing and clinging to one side because it feels safe and familiar.
If we allow our grip to soften, we will find relief. At first, the momentum of our stirred-up emotions may feel overwhelming, but slowly, we will ground ourselves. We will develop more space and clarity with which to hold and process life’s many truths.
Why must we “un-stick” ourselves?
Humans are not intended to solely survive. We must live fulfilling, meaningful lives. We try endlessly to identify our purpose for being on this earth. Looking back over millenniums, humans do more than just survive – they create art, religion, stories. And what is at the root of those expressions? Connection.
At LFC, we advocate that putting Humanity First is not only a philosophy, but it is a solution. It is not superfluous. It is the perspective that engages our collective strength and makes it possible for us to solve those “bigger” problems we face. Putting Humanity First is the antidote to inequity.
By cultivating spaces that honor the wisdom and dignity of every person – spaces that both elevate all voices and are prepared to receive all voices, truly centering connection – we are directly addressing the mechanisms causing inequity. Kindness, empathy, and respect toward the entirety of the human experience aren’t bandaids over broken bones, but rather tools we use to soften the ground and prepare it to support growth.
Putting Humanity First creates an opportunity for deeper, more holistic individual and community wellness. In this space of opportunity, we can be preventative rather than reactive; we can be nurturing rather than solely healing. We can seek a standard where there is less to heal from and our pains are not as all-encompassing or consequential.
Our founder, Judy Jablon, says,
“Humanity is not a lofty idea, it’s the heart of our daily life. It is what we say and do and how we treat others. It is the soul of our community, and it is what children experience and learn from every day. Building our humanity is fulfilling our true potential. It is not optional, it’s a necessity. And it’s not only for some of us, but for all of us.”
With steadfast optimism, we can build a shared vision for a stronger, healthier, more equitable future. A vision that we ALL have a say and a stake in.
