Dante López
Former President of CEPA (2008/2016)
Much is said about Solidarity these days, when we have unrestricted access to information and that allows us to be aware almost instantaneously to the news that happen
anywhere in the world.
But it is so much the bombardment of information that it generates in us a kind of anxiety, for not knowing how to act or the anguish of knowing that we can do little with so many adverse situations.
A rape, a murder when theft, an accident in which a child dies or even an entire family. A country that is plunged into chaos by the authoritarianism of one group, another that threatens to break into attacking another with nuclear missiles, thousands of migrants who are drifting, if they do not die massively in a shipwreck ... and a long etcetera.
How can we be supportive in such a scenario? What does it mean to be supportive?
The word solidarity comes from the Latin "solidus" which means solid, whole. It derived in "soliditas" which referrs to a homogeneous reality, whole and united where the components of that whole were of the "same nature".
Its etymological root refers to an in-solidum behavior, that is, that links the destinies of two or more people. Therefore, being a supportive person is not limited to offering help, but involves a commitment to the one that is intended to be helped.
To be in solidarity then, it is necessary to commit ourselves to the cause to which we are going to dedicate ourselves.
We could then think of various levels of solidarity, but let us look at least two of those: that which we have at our disposal with action, and that which we can only engage with thought and feeling.
The mere fact of having a receptive attitude to the needs that entangle us is already a step in the right direction. The intention to give creates a positive energy and brings people closer.
Being on the defensive, so that pain "does not affect me" closes us to the necessary contact and action.
Surely we have within our reach many opportunities to be in solidarity with family or friends, or some person or institution that we know and where we can act and see the results of our actions.
We can also collaborate with NGOs such as Doctors Without Borders, or UNICEF, which help to alleviate the terrible situations that children and families are experiencing in Africa and elsewhere. A donation with our credit card can make a big difference and we will be collaborating effectively to reduce the suffering of someone of the "same nature".
We can feel one with our Venezuelan brothers, who are suffering the worst crisis in their history and with our thought and feeling ask for them to resolve the situation. And we can sympathize with those who are our friends and call them offering affective and / or economic support.
The tremendous corruption crises that are happening in Latin America invite us not to remain silent and act "in solidarity", raising our voice so that everyone becomes aware that if we remain indifferent nothing will change, and we will continue to suffer that tremendous scourge of the immorality of the politicians who take advantage of inaction to continue their delinquency.
As Spiritists we know that each of our acts has an impact on the universal concert, so every little act we do will have its influence to improve the situation of someone who suffers.
The invitation of this small article is to promote participatory action in the face of the problems that are happening on our planet. Each of us can make a difference with his thought, with his feeling, but above all with his participation.
We can be happy enjoying our families, and grateful when we are far from adverse situations, but we will feel at peace when we feel solidly united to those who suffer, not to suffer with them, but while making an effective contribution so that they receive our empathy.
"Solidarity is a gesture that returns", we need to be on alert, there is a lot of need.