What are some examples of common things experienced?

What are some examples of things done, held, known, or experienced in common by human beings, notwithstanding their differences?

There are countless examples. We have mentioned the love of children, the instinct to survive, the desire for health, knowledge and happiness, and the concern for the safety and happiness of loved ones. These are shared aspects of the human experience: they inform our lives no matter who we are, no matter how different we are from others, no matter where we live. We have mentioned our biological identity, our shared susceptibilities to injury and illness, pleasure and pain.

In examining these and other examples, it is important for each of us to consider, "How significant is this aspect of my life? What place or priority would I give this if I were to try to list all of my life's experiences in order of importance? What part does, say, the health of my child, or my ability to use and understand words and numbers, or my love of nature, play in my overall experience, in my capacity to enjoy life, to function successfully in society, or to love and support others? If one or more of these were taken away from me, how profoundly would I be affected?"

When these questions are asked and answered for each example of common human experience, the significance of the entire range of humanity’s shared knowledge, beliefs, experiences, etc., becomes evident. In the end, we may ask: Is our common humanity -- is everything that is done, held, known, or experienced in common by human beings, notwithstanding their differences -- a matter of sufficient importance to justify a universal symbol of its own -- something to remind us always of our common bond, and to balance those symbols that we have used for centuries to represent and highlight our diversity, our differences, and our separation?

Notwithstanding our differences, we live on the same, finite planet. We depend on the sun’s energy, on clean air and water, and on the plants and animals of the earth. We farm the land, and follow many of the same principles of horticulture and husbandry. We marvel at the same stars and heavens, and are touched by the splendor and power of nature. We are affected by the same natural forces of wind, rain and storm. Our lives are geared to -- and each day is influenced by -- the earth’s weather patterns, and its seasons.

Notwithstanding our differences, we age and are conscious of aging, and of our mortality. We experience aging the same: the skin wrinkles, our muscles shrink and grow flaccid, our bodies slow, our organs decline. With age we attain a special wisdom, and we experience a growing acceptance of "what is."

Notwithstanding our differences, we live our lives surrounded by other human beings. We tolerate some, and develop a special fondness for others, whom we call "friends." We grow dependent upon our friends for comfort and companionship, and they, us. We seek their advice, and give advice. We make allowances for them, and overlook their shortcomings, knowing that they do this for us. We feel a loyalty towards them.

Notwithstanding our differences, we are surrounded by the products and effects of humankind. Every road and footpath, every pane of glass, every belt and shoe, every building, fence, nail and garden; the airplanes overhead and the cars in the street; every curb, telephone, chair, book, shirt, cigarette, tin can, screwdriver, road sign, computer, ocean-going vessel, paper clip or flagpole -- is a product and effect of humankind. The sounds in the streets -- of cars and buses, of men and women conversing, of hammers pounding, of heavy equipment roaring to life, of babies crying, of music seeping out of homes and shops -- these are the products and effects of humankind. Even our private thoughts "play" in a language that is not of our own making, but is a product of humankind.

The human experience is largely a shared experience. If, while you are reading these words, you can hear traffic noises beyond your window, or the sounds of children playing, or a television or radio playing in the background, or the hum of lights overhead, do you not think it is the same for the man reading this in Buenos Aires, Monrovia, or Frankfurt? -- or for the woman reading this in Toronto, Baghdad, or Rangoon?

Notwithstanding our differences, we experience love and sexual desire; we find mates and produce and raise children. We react to joyful or humorous events the same -- by smiling -- or by that strange, involuntary eruption in the lungs, laughter. We welcome periods of tranquillity, leisure, light-heartedness and well-being, for we know that life is uncertain -- that weariness, frustration, toil, depression, grief, or longing may not be far behind.

Questions What is it? What does it stand for? Why would we want it? What are some examples? Is it a call to action? How is it displayed? Why is it white?	What are some examples...?
	What are some examples of things done, held, known, or experienced in common by human beings, notwithstanding their differences? There are countless examples. We have mentioned the love of children, the instinct to survive, the desire for health, knowledge and happiness, and the concern for the safety and happiness of loved ones. These are shared aspects of the human experience: they inform our lives no matter who we are, no matter how different we are from others, no matter where we live. We have mentioned our biological identity, our shared susceptibilities to injury and illness, pleasure and pain. In examining these and other examples, it is important for each of us to consider, "How significant is this aspect of my life? What place or priority would I give this if I were to try to list all of my life's experiences in order of importance? What part does, say, the health of my child, or my ability to use and understand words and numbers, or my love of nature, play in my overall experience, in my capacity to enjoy life, to function successfully in society, or to love and support others? If one or more of these were taken away from me, how profoundly would I be affected?" When these questions are asked and answered for each example of common human experience, the significance of the entire range of humanity’s shared knowledge, beliefs, experiences, etc., becomes evident. In the end, we may ask: Is our common humanity -- is everything that is done, held, known, or experienced in common by human beings, notwithstanding their differences -- a matter of sufficient importance to justify a universal symbol of its own -- something to remind us always of our common bond, and to balance those symbols that we have used for centuries to represent and highlight our diversity, our differences, and our separation? Notwithstanding our differences, we live on the same, finite planet. We depend on the sun’s energy, on clean air and water, and on the plants and animals of the earth. We farm the land, and follow many of the same principles of horticulture and husbandry. We marvel at the same stars and heavens, and are touched by the splendor and power of nature. We are affected by the same natural forces of wind, rain and storm. Our lives are geared to -- and each day is influenced by -- the earth’s weather patterns, and its seasons. Notwithstanding our differences, we age and are conscious of aging, and of our mortality. We experience aging the same: the skin wrinkles, our muscles shrink and grow flaccid, our bodies slow, our organs decline. With age we attain a special wisdom, and we experience a growing acceptance of "what is." Notwithstanding our differences, we live our lives surrounded by other human beings. We tolerate some, and develop a special fondness for others, whom we call "friends." We grow dependent upon our friends for comfort and companionship, and they, us. We seek their advice, and give advice. We make allowances for them, and overlook their shortcomings, knowing that they do this for us. We feel a loyalty towards them. Notwithstanding our differences, we are surrounded by the products and effects of humankind. Every road and footpath, every pane of glass, every belt and shoe, every building, fence, nail and garden; the airplanes overhead and the cars in the street; every curb, telephone, chair, book, shirt, cigarette, tin can, screwdriver, road sign, computer, ocean-going vessel, paper clip or flagpole -- is a product and effect of humankind. The sounds in the streets -- of cars and buses, of men and women conversing, of hammers pounding, of heavy equipment roaring to life, of babies crying, of music seeping out of homes and shops -- these are the products and effects of humankind. Even our private thoughts "play" in a language that is not of our own making, but is a product of humankind. The human experience is largely a shared experience. If, while you are reading these words, you can hear traffic noises beyond your window, or the sounds of children playing, or a television or radio playing in the background, or the hum of lights overhead, do you not think it is the same for the man reading this in Buenos Aires, Monrovia, or Frankfurt? -- or for the woman reading this in Toronto, Baghdad, or Rangoon? Notwithstanding our differences, we experience love and sexual desire; we find mates and produce and raise children. We react to joyful or humorous events the same -- by smiling -- or by that strange, involuntary eruption in the lungs, laughter. We welcome periods of tranquillity, leisure, light-heartedness and well-being, for we know that life is uncertain -- that weariness, frustration, toil, depression, grief, or longing may not be far behind.	All of these aspects of human life are the same for all human beings everywhere, notwithstanding their many differences. Again, there are differences -- important ones; but just as there are differences, there are these and countless other examples of our common humanity. One is not exclusive of the other; both are "at work"; both affect us each day throughout our lives. Every book and every word is a testament to humanity’s common knowledge and shared experiences. Every pair of eyeglasses; every pill; every bottle of beer or soda; every bicycle or motor vehicle; every song, poem, weapon. From the use of spoons to the use of computers, from the knowledge of swimming to the knowledge of the principles of quantum mechanics. . . The bridge you cross to go to work, or over which you may travel to visit a friend or relative, is a product -- of what? Of humanity’s common knowledge of engineering, of reliable construction practices and materials, of precise measurements and mathematical formulations, of the laws of physics. Is this not true for the bridges of North Korea, Australia, Nigeria, and Belgium, as well? And can’t the same be said for the dams, tunnels, bridges and other structures throughout Peru, the United States, India, and Angola? The lives of all human beings are affected, protected, influenced and informed by humanity’s common knowledge of engineering, mathematics, design and construction practices, and the laws of physics. Yet these are but four relatively minor areas in a vast expanse of human knowledge -- a veritable ocean of shared knowledge which exists, and will continue to exist, and grow, notwithstanding our differences. It is readily apparent -- is it not? -- that much of what is done, held, known, or experienced by human beings in common, notwithstanding their differences, is a vital part of each person’s "separate" existence -- vital to her happiness, to her success, and to the existence, happiness, and success of her loved ones? Taking nothing away from our differences -- yours, mine or anyone’s -- ask yourself this: Where would I place my capacity and desire for friendship -- or, my love of nature -- or, my ability to access information and communicate through the use of words and symbols -- or, my feelings of love for my child -- or, the fact that I was born into a world where I, or my loved ones, might someday be saved by life-saving medicines or medical procedures developed by humankind -- or, the fact that we (my loved ones and I) live in a world where countless products and know-how have been developed and shared by others which make life easier, safer, and more productive -- or, even the fact that I have in my lifetime experienced pain and disappointment and therefor can empathize with others who are injured, ill or discouraged -- where would I place these and other shared aspects of human being on the list if I were to try to list all aspects of my experience -- that is, those that are shared and those that are not -- in order of their importance? What part do these things-in-common play in my (or, later on, in my child’s) overall capacity to enjoy life, to function successfully in society, and to love and support others? Perhaps these examples would not go to the very top of the list (that’s not important); but surely each sober human being will place these and other shared aspects of the human experience relatively high on his list. Surely, these are important human qualities. The Companion Flag is a simple gesture of recognition. It stands for the proposition that that which is the same in all of us, and about us all, is an integral part in the equation of each human life. It is not the only part; it does not overshadow our differences, and, it may not even be as important to us as some of our differences; but it coexists with those differences nonetheless in an ever-present duality. The Companion Flag’s adoption will mean that the people of the world have agreed: this fact alone -- the fact of our common humanity -- is worth symbolizing: it is worthy of a tangible, ever-present reminder to be placed before our eyes, and the eyes of our children, and the eyes of all future generations, so that this -- our common bond -- might never be forgotten, dismissed, or overlooked.
		Is it a call to action?