No one likes to be called small-minded or petty. Yet most of us define our own worlds so small and so rigid that it's hard NOT to be called as such.
Academically most people are aware of how large the Earth is and approximately the number of people occupying it. They are also aware that there are multiple countries and cities spreading over multiple continents. They may not know exactly how many countries or how many cities there are, but they are aware of the existence of these other countries and cities.
However, when it comes to their daily life, their worlds consist of mostly immediate family members, a few people from work, and maybe some friends. All of their life dramas are played out in this small and limited arena. Important things may be happening in the next state, or border country, or across the ocean. But these things matter little in their worlds.
Imagine what if they expand their worlds (or their "family") to include the whole neighborhood, perhaps the whole state, or perhaps everyone on Earth. Suddenly the problems of the world is much more personal to them. It would no longer be ISIS bombing France, but instead something like cousin Bill causing harm to uncle Bob's family.
When we "own" the whole planet, we are more motivated to fix the problems of the planet. When we limit our life to just our immediate family, we don't care about anyone else's problems. And we wonder why people call us petty.
Academically most people are aware of how large the Earth is and approximately the number of people occupying it. They are also aware that there are multiple countries and cities spreading over multiple continents. They may not know exactly how many countries or how many cities there are, but they are aware of the existence of these other countries and cities.
However, when it comes to their daily life, their worlds consist of mostly immediate family members, a few people from work, and maybe some friends. All of their life dramas are played out in this small and limited arena. Important things may be happening in the next state, or border country, or across the ocean. But these things matter little in their worlds.
Imagine what if they expand their worlds (or their "family") to include the whole neighborhood, perhaps the whole state, or perhaps everyone on Earth. Suddenly the problems of the world is much more personal to them. It would no longer be ISIS bombing France, but instead something like cousin Bill causing harm to uncle Bob's family.
When we "own" the whole planet, we are more motivated to fix the problems of the planet. When we limit our life to just our immediate family, we don't care about anyone else's problems. And we wonder why people call us petty.
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