I was talking with an amazing dancer from Africa and he told me that where he comes from when you ask someone Who are you? the literal translation is On whose shoulders do you stand?
I've been thinking on this for days. I love how it implies family and connection rather than who are you? which implies separation and individuation.
I love how it implies respect for our ancestors.
I don't think I honor my ancestors enough. I complain that my parents did this or didn't do that. Instead of acknowledging that without them I wouldn't even be here. Without what they did, whether I agree with it or not I wouldn't be the person that I am.
I do stand on their shoulders and they on the shoulders of their parents and so on backwards for ever. Just as my children will stand on my shoulders.
And I feel humility realizing that I do stand upon all of these shoulders and that that is who I am.
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| Mr T with my Dad |
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| Tui and my mum |
