Comrades

Over the week-end I watched one of my favorite all-time films, a romantic comedy from 1939, Ernst Lubitsch’s Ninotschka.

It tells the story of a female special envoy from Russia played by Greta Garbo, who is sent to Paris to investigate the rather unorthodox and generally inefficient way in which three Russian ambassadors are carrying out their job. They're supposed to be selling jewels belonging to the former Grand Duchess, but instead get distracted by the luxuries of capitalist society gleefully pressed onto them by the Count d'Algout, otherwise known as Leon—played by Melvyn Douglas.  And it doesn’t take long for the dour, humorless Ninotchka to fall hard for the charming Leon, and their love story begins atop the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

What stays with me are twofold: he captivates her heart by making her laugh and lines of the film are wonderful. The most poignant is Ninotschka asking Leon: what have you done for mankind?
Leon answers, Not so much for mankind... for womankind, my record isn't quite so bleak.

There’s slapstick humor and although the film is an escapist comedy it raises a more serious topic.

In present day more than ever we have a responsibility to help mankind.

Mother Earth’s primary goal is to continue to survive to support her children; she is prepared to eliminate, from her surface, whatever is necessary to ensure habitability, and will fight to accomplish her goal. And her fight is what we are witnessing now.  In 2012 we witnessed an upsurge in violence that includes the very polarized and gun polluted USA. The focus on each man as an individual, independent, free to do what one wishes that is so much a part of the collective American frame of reference plus the easy access of guns and the misapplication of the Second Amendment of the USA Constitution, gives rise to crazed individuals who shoot people in cinemas, malls and schools.

So how does this impact us? Our purpose of life is to learn and grow – both as individuals and as a conscious species. Plan ahead and make 2013 a year in which we go beyond thinking about disparate opinions—think globally—and practice selflessness putting into action, what each of us can do to help mankind. 

Have a safe and happy new year.