23/04/2021
Years ago, Anthropologist Margaret Mead was asked by a
student, what she considered to be the first sign of civilization
in a culture.
The student expected Mead to talk about fish hooks or clay pots or grinding stones.
But no, Mead said, that the first sign of civilization in an
ancient culture was a femur (thighbone) that had been broken and then healed.
Mead explained that in the animal kingdom, if you break
your leg, you die. You cannot run from danger, get to the river for a drink of water or hunt for food and you become ready meat for prowling beasts. It was impossible for an animal to survive a broken bone long enough for the bone to heal.
A broken femur that has healed is evidence that someone has
taken time to stay with the one who fell, has bound the wound,
has carried the injured to safety and has tended to them through recovery.
Helping someone else through pain and difficulty is where civilization starts, Mead said.
We are at our best when we serve others, when we share,
and when we give what we can to reduce the pain and
increase the joy of our fellow men.
If you are blessed with the
abundance of something, help others as much as you can,
Because, whatever God gives, He doesn’t give it to you, He
gives it “through” you.
Let’s resolve to give and serve others, be civilized and stay blessed forever.