Rephrasing

"There, but by the grace of God, go I."

This is a phrase many people use when they encounter another person in a very unenviable situation. Its a very penitent mantra usually uttered in hushed and whispered tones, accompanied with a grimaced frown. Often, a barely noticeable head shake can be observed if an onlooker is paying close attention.

I'm not especially keen on using trite phrases to diagnose other people's lives or circumstances. Its a lazy formula that sterilizes the situation into a neat and tidy box, allowing the muser to pass judgement without really attempting to understand what is going on. I've learned, over the years, that people are rarely what they seem so it makes very little sense to simplify or stereotype them with a bumper sticker.

Anyway, back this phrase. It seems to imply that while life might be horrendous for another person, it is generally okay for me. Even if that other poor, tortured soul is experiencing a rough go at it, my situation is fine. Then we summon and drag God into the argument because he is the reason we are not suffering while they are. There is an admittance that the other person could be "me" but it seems the heavens have a different plan in mind. Please don't misunderstand this little blog. I am not questioning your particular theology or epistemology. My intent is not to blame any person or deity for anything.

What I am getting at is this... We should not be absolved of our obligation to help others simply because we are not suffering. I don't think its ethical or moral (or just plain nice) to see someone else in trouble and then be thankful that we are okay just because we are NOT them. Because we see and even acknowledge others in trouble does not mean we are contributing toward the solution of a problem. It is perfectly fine for a person to be grateful they are at a good place in their life. I will not begrudge anyone the opportunity to shout their happy status from the top of any rooftop they deem worthy.

But we can't be content with our own good fortunes. There are millions of people out there who signify the former part of this phrase and not the latter. It is not enough to use them as a template to justify our own comparable comfort and happiness. The true measure of humanity involves helping them in real and tangible ways.

Maybe one day the phrase can go, "There, by the grace of God, go we."