I guess I’m kinda giving up on the title.  What I really want to direct you to is a photo and post from Sunday by Kimbery Richards.  Scroll down to the comment by Eric W_ (yes, that’s me) for my initial response.

Go ahead & read it.  I’ll be here when you get back.I’m still thinking about my response, although some time has passed.  I said that I would like for there to be in the world “more compassion, more communication, and more sharing of perspectives.”  While this is true, it doesn’t necessarily answer Kimberly’s call to action.

Here’s the other part of that: I believe change or progress of any sort begins with individuals.  I’m starting with myself.

For myself, there are two distinct personalities – I think of them as my right and left sides, reflecting the dominance of each hemisphere of the brain.

My left side is my daily side: that is my analytical, critical side.  It’s rough, sometimes missing those social graces that serve us so well with other people.  It seldom apologizes or gives compliments, but it’s generally courteous and always thanks.  When active, it can be so critical as to be harsh, and is seldom gentle.

My right side is my creative and social side.  When being creative, it doesn’t speak much, but it comes up with a lot.  When being social, it tends to be nice and soft, very supportive and caring.

For years, I’ve been in the left hemisphere.  Studying technical details of skills, looking for weaknesses and errors, high- and low-end troubleshooting of equipment, computers, software… Since the birth of my daughter, I’ve been searching for more meaning, and that leads me down the paths of the other hemisphere.  It is compassionate, and seeks to find common ground with other people.

So the answer to the call: I am actively expanding my appreciation for art and, at the same time, for other people.  If only a small part of that can be shared, then maybe I will have helped the world become a better place.

And a thought about Kimberly’s photo: behold, a simple photo that has a call to action.  That is beauty in a photograph.