Where I come from, we have something called “Ubuntu." It simply means behaving and acting towards each other in ways that benefit the community.
Plainly put, “ I am because of who we all are.”
The African Philosophy demands that we practice kindness and thoughtfulness towards one another. This is the only way an individual can be a ”full person.“
Growing up, I thought it was obviously an excuse for nosiness or fodder for gossip. I thought it bothersome and over the top. Why should I prepare a cup of tea for the guest that walked in unannounced? Why oh why must I listen to the tales the old man down the road decided to share with a total stranger? Even worse, why do I have to share the last piece of chicken with the neighbor’s kid?
There have been instances that my “Ubuntu-ness” has been tested; where my responsibility towards other human beings has lacked, but I digress.
The fact that an entire community is involved in an individual’s life can be intense for some, especially those like me whose introvert tendencies tend to take over, but through being involved and integrated in each other’s lives, one gets to learn and evolve.
It’s in the collective raising of children, the encouraging words of resilience, the folk tales told by the elders and in the songs taught to the children. These same songs and stories carry over many generations.
There is an added advantage to having different people of all ages, levels of intelligence and temperaments involved in an individual’s life. One learns to quickly adapt a listening ear and a diplomatic approach to life. Like I am sure many parents would say, ”it builds character.“
Unfortunately, because of an evolving society plagued by capitalism, “Ubuntu-ness“ is slowly dying away.
BUT I think the Covid 19 pandemic has showed all of us that we crave positive human contact. Wouldn’t it be more than just cool if you learned there was an organization that applies the same principles of Ubuntu?
Community, joy, fairness, respect, value, acceptance, group solidarity, love, compassion, fulfillment just to name a few.
Think about the highlights of your life and what got you there, how you got there. Was is not because of other people? Yes, you put in the work, but there was always a voice pushing you, encouraging you.It could have been your parents, your siblings, a coach, a teacher, a boss, a family member or a stranger that never quit on you or who invigorated you, urged you to keep pushing. In other words, a person is a person through other people. That is Ubuntu. That is IncubatorU.
We are, because of who we all are.
Plainly put, “ I am because of who we all are.”
The African Philosophy demands that we practice kindness and thoughtfulness towards one another. This is the only way an individual can be a ”full person.“
Growing up, I thought it was obviously an excuse for nosiness or fodder for gossip. I thought it bothersome and over the top. Why should I prepare a cup of tea for the guest that walked in unannounced? Why oh why must I listen to the tales the old man down the road decided to share with a total stranger? Even worse, why do I have to share the last piece of chicken with the neighbor’s kid?
There have been instances that my “Ubuntu-ness” has been tested; where my responsibility towards other human beings has lacked, but I digress.
The fact that an entire community is involved in an individual’s life can be intense for some, especially those like me whose introvert tendencies tend to take over, but through being involved and integrated in each other’s lives, one gets to learn and evolve.
It’s in the collective raising of children, the encouraging words of resilience, the folk tales told by the elders and in the songs taught to the children. These same songs and stories carry over many generations.
There is an added advantage to having different people of all ages, levels of intelligence and temperaments involved in an individual’s life. One learns to quickly adapt a listening ear and a diplomatic approach to life. Like I am sure many parents would say, ”it builds character.“
Unfortunately, because of an evolving society plagued by capitalism, “Ubuntu-ness“ is slowly dying away.
BUT I think the Covid 19 pandemic has showed all of us that we crave positive human contact. Wouldn’t it be more than just cool if you learned there was an organization that applies the same principles of Ubuntu?
Community, joy, fairness, respect, value, acceptance, group solidarity, love, compassion, fulfillment just to name a few.
This is what you get at IncubatorU. A sense of community and belonging. IncubatorU’s founder Michael’s vision is to “transform teams by developing innovative strategies that achieve resilience and growth.“
Think about the highlights of your life and what got you there, how you got there. Was is not because of other people? Yes, you put in the work, but there was always a voice pushing you, encouraging you.It could have been your parents, your siblings, a coach, a teacher, a boss, a family member or a stranger that never quit on you or who invigorated you, urged you to keep pushing. In other words, a person is a person through other people. That is Ubuntu. That is IncubatorU.
We are, because of who we all are.