Cut From the Same Cloth, All of Us.
As I read through so many proclamations of sadness and shock over the death of Robin Williams last week, and I sit quietly in my own feelings of loss, love and lack of surprise, I am once again (enchanted) by the sheer number of people affected by the passing of a person whom they (most) have never met. Just as the death of maya Angelou recently racked so many hearts with grief, and so many of those had never known Dr Angelou.
Our capacity as humans is boundless, to be touched so deeply by other beings with whom we are neither friend nor foe, teacher nor student, lover nor loved one, neighbor, employer, caregiver, or any other embodiment of personal face to face relationship…. Yet, Our ability to connect is always right there, ready to be tapped into and we do it so easily, so readily with those who entertain us. But not with so many other beings suffering on this planet. We disconnect from our immigrant population, our brothers and sisters overseas and on our own streets. Just as Robin Williams was a man who suffered and struggled with demons yet also shone his light on the world through his humor and acting talent, there all millions of beings, human and animal alike, who share in the suffering of the world and also are full of that same light. It is the SAME light. It is the same suffering. THIS is why we are able to connect and feel love toward those we do not “know”. Because We Are The Same.
Human creature or animal creature…..we have come from, move through and will end all the same. I am very saddened by the loss of such a talented and tormented man. I am grateful for the light and love he shone on this world. I am so selfishly sad I will never see another interview, stand up bit, or new film from him. But, I will take this lesson I must learn time and again, not from his life but the passing of it: We are all ONE and if I can consciously tap into that truth every day, I too can shine the love and light on this planet that each and everyone of us is made of. Thank you Robin. RIP.