Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Of Islands and Bells

The last verse of John Donne's poem 'No Man Is an Island' is widely known: "...never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee." On the subject of responsibility, you usually think about your duty to take care of your family, to be efficient in your job, to be aware of the needs of your community. This most evident interpretation is correct because it refers to your life priorities, along with the impact that your actions have on others. Is it possible to discern another, deeper meaning, that may not be so evident at first? An island does not stand alone because it is part of the planet, therefore it has to participate in the welfare of the whole. But, in order to perform this duty properly, it must first discover its inner needs and create a healthy environment for itself and for others. Similarly, your own 'self' should find a way to offer the best 'version' of who you are to the world, because you are an irreplaceable part of.




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