A thin double chain links antique silver hearts for holding prayer requests. The hearts are photographed on a hand-embroidered altarcloth from a former convent in Marseilles, France. In one of the hearts, a prayer remains. It was handwritten in ink on a small agenda page, then folded and tucked away for safekeeping.
In follow-up to my previous post, some thoughts about humanity:
"After all, there is but one race - humanity." - George Moore, The Bending of the Bough, 1900, Act III
"...by his screams, he asserts his right to live, sends a message to the outside world demanding help and calling for resistance. If nothing else is left, one must scream. Silence is the real crime against humanity." - Nadezhda Mandelstam, Hope against Hope, 1970
"The fundamental rights of [humanity] are, first: the right of habitation; second, the right to move freely; third, the right to the soil and subsoil, and to the use of it; fourth, the right of freedom of labor and of exchange; fifth, the right to justice; sixth, the right to live within a natural national organization and seventh, the right to education." - Albert Schweitzer
"My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.” - Archbishop Desmond Tutu
“All humanity is one undivided and indivisible family and each one of us is responsible for the misdeeds of all the others. I cannot detach myself from the wickedest soul” - Mahatma Gandhi
Stumbled upon your webpage after searching for 'paisley' designs. The search brought me the picture of the 'liberty bedding'. I'm still to find the article with that picture but for now I'm enjoying reading just about everything you've written thrus far. Oh, and that double heart prayer necklace is gorgeous.
Posted by: Kelly Roccoisian | 26 March 2008 at 19:25
Oh, I want those hearts! They are full of prayerful energy...I wonder what the prayer inside was? And such befitting poems. Simply lovely! Thanks!
Posted by: Moloka'i Girl (Paula Scott) | 24 January 2008 at 06:35
Powerful reminders of humanity. Gorgeous photo, too! xx, JP/deb
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 24 January 2008 at 06:22
INDEED!
love those hearts - amazing!!!
Posted by: judy wilkenfeld | 24 January 2008 at 03:46
Such a lovely image, Tara - and so very fitting. We are all connected - if only everyone in the world could remember that more often! Beautiful post~XOXO
Posted by: tinker | 24 January 2008 at 00:18
Two hearts, connected AND dialog...this is of course the piece that is most consistently missing. These past couple of posts have sparked a real dialog, if only this can happen in the Middle East.
thank you for your insights and providing such a platform for sharing...
x...x
Posted by: stephanie | 22 January 2008 at 22:22
Oh Tara, what a lovely, thought provoking post with a such beautiful image. I am reminded of one of my favorite quotes from Eleanor Roosevelt:“When will our consciences grow so tender that we will act to prevent human misery rather than avenge it?”
What is wrong with us that we can't get it? Or maybe the question is what else needs to be chipped away in order to reveal the heart of humanity? Greed? Corruption? Selfishness? Thanks for being one of those willing to keep thinking and talking about it. (heart) leau
Posted by: Leau | 22 January 2008 at 19:03
we certainly are connected, brothers and sisters we should act like it. as I get older my guard is down more and more in the name of humanity treating others as tho they were my brothers and sisters does something to the mind and heart that nothing else can even come close to doing...be kind that is my motto;)
Posted by: apt. a {berriehead} | 22 January 2008 at 15:10
Beautiful set of ex votos Tara. So unique that they are connected...
Posted by: My Melange | 22 January 2008 at 13:12
Tara, such lovely posts, as always. I'm fascinated by what I just read about The Hand of Fatima (thanks for the thougtful link, btw); as a cradle Catholic, I automatically thought of the sighting of Mary at Fatima, Portugal and her message of peace and hope for the entire world. That the hand is used a symbol of what people of Muslim and Jewish faiths have in common and is now worn as a symbol of solidarity amazes me. I hope and pray today's news from Israel leads to signicant steps in the peace process soon. Or is that just wishful thinking? K.
Posted by: Karen DeGroot Carter | 22 January 2008 at 03:43
A beautiful image and the words to carry it.
Posted by: Leslie M | 22 January 2008 at 01:33
beautiful beautiful beautiful connected hearts and prayers...
xox - eb.
Posted by: eb | 22 January 2008 at 01:12
Compassion, the passion that transcends self-interest -- that's what is needed so badly. Where on earth did it go? What happened that people feel they have none to spare?
Every one of your quotes is beautifully chosen, Tara.
The photo is lovely, very tangible textures and a soft glow.
Posted by: fleur | 22 January 2008 at 00:34
What a great thoughts I find the last one from Gandhi particularly interesting. If we took up this responsibility we could do a great deal to change the world.
Posted by: marja | 22 January 2008 at 00:03
Those prayer hearts are exquisite. And to think, a prayer still remains inside one.
And those quotes you offered -if only we could all take them to our hearts!
Posted by: Becca | 21 January 2008 at 23:59
Splendid quotes and the image is exquisite.
Posted by: Jeanie | 21 January 2008 at 23:36
Oh, this is absolutely sublime!
So quietly Beautiful!
Sandra Evertson
Posted by: Sandra Evertson | 21 January 2008 at 23:16
These are brilliant quotes about humanity Tara. Now if more people would read these, believe these and actualize them!!!!
I love the photograph by the way -- it fits these quotes beautifully.
Posted by: Cherie | 21 January 2008 at 20:57
"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity." -- Martin Luther King, Jr.
Posted by: dianamuse | 21 January 2008 at 20:37
It really is so easy isn't it? so why is it so hard? Imagine a world with no divides? oh man what fun it would be! xo
Posted by: apt. a {berriehead} | 21 January 2008 at 20:28
Can't help but agree to each and every one. Albert Schweitzer's should be law.
Posted by: Di Overton | 21 January 2008 at 20:20
These are wonderful, Tara!! Why is it so hard for the message to get through??
Posted by: jzr | 21 January 2008 at 20:17
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: rochambeau | 21 January 2008 at 19:58
If only we could really INTERNALIZE all these words.
:)
Posted by: Amber | 21 January 2008 at 18:56
If only the world could unite in its humanity!!!!! The two hearts are incredible!
XOX
Kristen
Posted by: Kristen R | 21 January 2008 at 18:12