The majority of the world is good – I’ve written those words on past posts here because I believe it. Even when the news constantly reminds us about all the evil, I continue to believe the majority of the world is good.
Humanity is a term that refers to all of us. All … not all with a but or except … simply all. Regardless of skin color, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, location or any other qualifier or disqualifier, humanity includes the characteristics human beings have in common.
Acceptance
The greatest gift that you can give to others is the gift of unconditional love and acceptance. (Brian Tracy, author)
Compassion
Mama was my greatest teacher, a teacher of compassion, love and fearlessness. If love is sweet as a flower, then my mother is that sweet flower of love. (Stevie Wonder, musician)
Cooperation
The requirements for our evolution have changed. Survival is no longer sufficient. Our evolution now requires us to develop spiritually – to become emotionally aware and make responsible choices. It requires us to align ourselves with the values of the soul – harmony, cooperation, sharing, and reverence for life. (Gary Zukav, author)
Goodness
Goodness is about character – integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage, and the like. More than anything else, it is about how we treat other people. (Dennis Prager, journalist)
Humility
Humility, that low, sweet root, from which all heavenly virtues shoot. (Thomas Moore, poet)
Integrity
Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody’s going to know whether you did it or not. (Oprah Winfrey, entertainer)
Kindness
A warm smile is the universal language of kindness. (William Arthur Ward, writer)
Love
Love is friendship that has caught fire. It is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses. (Ann Landers, journalist)
Patience
Patience is not simply the ability to wait – it’s how we behave while we’re waiting. (Joyce Meyer, author)
Respect
I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me… All I ask is that you respect me as a human being. (Jackie Robinson, athlete)
Respect is what we owe; love, what we give. (Philip James Bailey, poet)
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Ray Laskowitz is a photographer in New Orleans. I can’t recall how we found each other, but I find his photos capture many aspects of humanity. Fittingly, he describes his blog as “about pictures and their backstories.” My experience told me he is the perfect artist for this collaborative endeavor. I gathered the text, then he supplied the images.
I encourage everyone to visit Ray’s blog for his stories and his website to see his photos, where images are available for purchase. I’ve invite Ray to respond to comments when he can, so feel free to ask him questions.
All photos are copyrighted by Ray Laskowitz @ Laskowitz Pictures
Brilliant post!!!👏🏻❤️👏🏻
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Rebeca,
Glad you enjoyed this one. Once I got Ray involved, the rest was easy. I invite you to visit his blog.
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A beautiful posting, Frank. I’ve been over to Ray’s blog and to Laskowitz pictures to have a look. Energy and color and an empathetic eye certainly characterize the photos….I know I will go back to look some more.
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Cynthia,
I’ve had this idea in my head for some time. Once I finally got it together to draft, I approached Ray … and the rest is history. Thanks for the kind words … and for visiting Ray.
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Thank you for stopping by Storyteller. This was a rewarding project.
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Love the amazing photos along with the great quotes.
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Angela,
I’ve had the idea for the post for some time, but I wasn’t sure how … and then the quotes idea came into my mind … and then Ray. Perfect! Hope all is well with you!!!
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Marvelous and important post! Love it all~
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Cindy,
Glad you appreciated this one … but I’ve got to come up with an idea that uses your photos!
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Captivating photos! And I love the quotes as well. It is an important time to consider the complexity of being a positive contributor to humanity, Frank. I loved your post.
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Thank you.
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Debra,
Today’s troubled times makes staying positive a challenge – thus the importance of good people sticking together. Glad you enjoyed this and I encourage you to visit Ray.
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I do plan to visit Ray, Frank. Thank you for the introduction.
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I agree, Frank. Those are some awesome photos.
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Brenda,
Glad you enjoyed these and appreciate the positive side of life. I encourage you to visit Ray when you get a chance.
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Great post dear Frank, I want to believe too… There is always peace where the art and music live… Thank you, have a nice day, Love, nia
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Nia,
You are one of the many good people that must stick together. 🙂 Because you enjoy photography, I invite you to visit Ray’s blog.
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This is so amazing! Wonderful post, both words and pictures. This has come in the nick of time. I needed to see this post today. Thank you, Frank and Ray.
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You are very welcome.
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Amy,
Many thanks for the kind words and glad to know the timing worked well for you. … and thanks for the reblog!
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You’re welcome, Frank. It’s my pleasure.
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I good reminder, Frank. I thought of Anne Frank’s famous quote, of course.
I will go look at Ray’s site.
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Sorry, Merril. I wasn’t copying, I actually came up with the same thought! I should read the comments before acting!
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It’s a well-known quote. I’m sure we weren’t the only two who thought of it–but great minds, you know? 🙂
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Merril,
I see Jim added Ann Frank’s quote, and yes … a good one! Enjoy Ray’s site. 🙂
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Great photographs!
However:
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Thank you, Jim.
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Jim,
An excellent quote … and good to know your mind is in sync with Merril’s. Glad you enjoyed Ray’s photos, and I encourage you to visit him.
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Reblogged this on The Bumble Files and commented:
Here’s a beautiful, collaborative post of all the qualities that make us human with words by AFrankAngle and photos by Ray Laskowitz. Enjoy.
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At your best, Frank. Great post.
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John,
Many thanks for the kind words … this collaboration was a fun one to do.
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🙂
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I just visited Ray Laskowitz’s website where I was able to admire his extraordinary photographs. His photos and words certainly connect with your themes of the majority of the world being good and that humanity needs to be celebrated for the things people have in common. I look forward to staying in touch with Ray’s work leading up to my eventual bucket list trip to New Orleans at Mardi Gras.
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Tim,
Thanks for the kind words for Ray and for visiting his blog. … and he can tell you all you ever need to know about Mardi Gras.
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Hi Tim, please do stay in touch. When you are ready to come for Mardi Gras I’m sure you’ll have a lot of questions. Don’t hesitate to ask.
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Thanks Ray, I really enjoyed your website! I appreciate your offer to answer questions about Mardi Gras and I’ll be in touch when I make plans to visit New Orleans.
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An excellent post and inspiring joint project! I enjoy both blogs so much…Thank You!
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Anne Marie,
Welcome first-time commenter. I occasionally collaborate with another blogger as I provide the text and they supply the images. Here’s the link to all of them. https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/category/collaborations
… and thanks for visiting Ray! Where are you located?
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All great stuff!
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Parenting,
Quotes were easy to find, so Ray had the hard work. Hope you visit him.
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Wonderful! Thanks for the introduction to a great artist and humanitarian.
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Patti,
Thanks so much … and glad you appreciated this one!
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This is such a magnificent one-two punch of beauty and strength and hope. Okay, that’s three things. I was always lousy with math.
Seriously well done…..these words and these images and the feelings they imbue.
It made me think on a doc I watched recently that left me floored, yet hopeful.
Thank you Frank and Ray.
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Cayman,
Thanks for the kind words and the doc clip. Relating this post to that caused many things to race across my mind.
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What an wonderful collaboration! Bravo to both! 🙂 🙂
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Marina,
As a past collaborator, you praise is special!
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Great post! I AGREE! Went over to Ray’s blog, followed & commented that I enjoyed your collaboration. I know his work a bit from following him on my Art Gowns blog!
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Resa,
I knew you would like his work … so cheers to you getting a bit of time to see it. Will be announcing the closing act in the next post.
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I am so glad I didn’t miss this one Frank. I know, late but I am trying hard to circle around those I love even when I have to do so in a delayed fashion.
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Val,
This post is a good one for you … and one thing about blogging, some say one is never late … so fashionably late will do! 😉 Hope your transition is going well!!!!
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