Are we that lost?

“We are worried about creating a better world for our children... when will we start to think about creating better children to our World? (Author Unknown)”

Friday, 5pm; lacking what to do, I start to observe people discretely.

I get bits and pieces of a conversation between a father and his 13, 14 year old son. The sexist kind of talk reveals how much my culture must evolve in terms of gender and respect; but wasn’t what caught my attention. In a certain moment, the father who was drinking a soda tries to rise to throw its bottle in the trash. The following dialogue happens:

• Son: “Don’t toss it there, let’s throw it in that guy’s head!” (and points someone in the street).

• Father: “No, otherwise the bottle may provoke a flood!” (and puts the bottle in the trash).

I was shocked! I couldn’t decide between applauding his environmental and social awareness, and horrifying myself with their lack of human consciousness. Are we that lost?

Of course he was playing with the wicked idea, but it’s not necessary to leave the Brazilian public transport system to realize that maybe (just maybe) we are inverting values a bit!

It doesn’t matter how crowded is the tube, do I really rather push someone than wait for the next train? Ignore a million signs and bump into someone than wait for them to leave? Pretend I’m sleeping than giving away my place, knowing that when I grow older I’m likely to be treated the same way?

We’ve all done something like this before. So did I! And I’m fully aware that change my attitude and being kind isn’t easy, but hold on a second, it’s not that difficult either.

Does it really take that long to help someone struggling to get a suitcase up the stairs, if I was going that way anyhow? Is that really going to make me late? For what am I late?

I did the test myself that Friday. It hardly took me 30 seconds longer than what I would take anyway. And you know what is most interesting? That person took the same bus I did. She was grateful and had I helped or not, I would have left the same time.

When ignoring or hurting instead of helping someone; and laughing about our miseries instead of doing something to improve the situation; becomes the rule, what kind of human beings have we become? Why are we doing what we are doing, again? And, how can we create a better World if we are treating human beings as garbage to start with?

I don’t know all the answers, but I’m sure of something: I want to live in a World where people are treated as priority. A place in which we receive the respect and consideration we deserve. For that, I must stop, think about what I’m doing and change my attitude. There is no other way! The change for a better now starts in me and restarts every single second.

Blood Donation – a kind act of citizenship that saves lives

This Friday I did something that gives me an enormous joy: I donated blood.

It might seem a paradox to some: “Blood? Needle? Joy? What?”; but for me, to donate is pleasure, citizenship, an opportunity to save lives. And I must confess I have high hopes that one day this will be the meaning of it for many more people.

Besides, I donate because blood doesn’t grow in trees. I donate despite the needle, the bruises I had or the times I fainted. I donate blood because any inconvenience goes away quickly in comparison with a life that remains. And honestly after a few times none of this bothers or even happens again.

I donate voluntarily, for absolutely nothing in return! I don’t need discounts, benefits, and most of all I don’t need money for it. My blood is not for sale. If it were, what would be the cost of a life?

I also prefer to donate to people I don’t know. Not only because I rather not have dear ones in need for blood. But actually, because I like to think that if everybody did the same, when necessity comes no one would need to be despaired to find replacement donors. No surgery would be postponed and no emergency would risk being uncovered.

And I donate regularly 02 or 03 times a year, because in my Country (Brazil) only 1.8% of the population donates. And this is how it has been for the past 10 years. I’m also a conscious donor. I follow the rules and I try to inform myself the scientific reasons for temporary and permanent impediments. And I take care of my health, of what I eat, how well I rest and of my attitudes.

Finally when I can’t donate, I try to convince someone to become a donor. Especially because if only 2% more of the Brazilian population became donors, that would be enough. We all would be certain that if we or someone we love ever needed; there would be quality blood available.

I have been dreaming with this reality; and I know I’m not the only one in the World. Organizations such as the IFBDO – International Federation of Blood Donor Organizations (www.fiods.org) and the WHO - World Health Organization (www.who.org), among others; have been fighting day after day for more people to become altruist, voluntary, non-remunerated, regular blood donors.

To be a donor is easy! Overcome your fears or laziness and find the blood bank closer to you. And if for any reason you are unable to donate, become an ambassador for this vital cause. Promote it and you’ll be saving many lives through those you convince.

To donate is a huge kindness; and it makes many patients’ now not only better, but possible.