clyde
9th October 2006, 03:15 PM
Hello. I wish to share an essay I co-authored with Chuck Keiser. You can also read the essay at: http://donoharm.us/. We are promoting “do no harm” as a way to a more hospital world and we hope you will support the effort.
Do No Harm!
This is the start of a new movement, the "Do No Harm" movement.
We seem to be living in a world that is getting meaner every day. We are either oblivious of the harm we cause or we ignore the harm we cause. Could it be because no one taught us otherwise?
Could it be because no one ever asked us to do no harm?
If we look at just about any endeavor our species has engaged in, it would seem we are unaware of the harm we do to others, or we intentionally do harm for our own gain, and sadly in some cases for our own pleasure and enjoyment.
Since we haven't been taught otherwise we see no harm in doing harm. We cause harm and shrug it off. We cause harm and laugh about it. We cause harm and brag about it.
Worse, our children bear witness to our actions and never learn to do no harm. Above all else we must teach our children, by example and instruction, this simple philosophy of life.
If we are to become a more evolved species we must begin to make better choices and treat each other with more respect, and that includes the other creatures who share this planet with us, and this planet we call home.
We believe that the first and most basic moral law is, "Do no harm." Why? Because we can feel pain and suffering, we can imagine the pain and suffering of others. Because we can imagine the pain and suffering of others, we can act accordingly.
What does "do no harm" mean? For some it means arbitrary restrictions of action (not to strike or kill), speech (not to lie or insult), and thought. But what it ultimately means is thoughtful consideration. “Do no harm” simply means to consider how our actions may affect the world we all share, to be compassionate in our dealings with all creatures, and not to despoil our planet.
Doctors are asked to “first do no harm,” why not lawyers, businessmen, religious leaders and politicians? Why not us? Why not now?
The very least we can do is to attempt to do no harm, and leave the world no worse than as we found it.
It sounds like a simple idea, because it is a simple idea, but it just may be effective over the long run. Will “do no harm” solve all the problems in our world? Perhaps not, but this is an effort to decrease the nastiness in the world and to increase the kindness.
We hope that “do no harm” becomes that little voice that guides our actions.
And we hope you will join the movement and spread the message "Do no harm."
Show everyone you care and use “Do no harm” to sign-off in your correspondence in place of "Best Wishes", "Yours" or "Regards."
If you have a web site, be proud of your support and add the words “Do No Harm” to the top of your home page were everyone will see it.
Be bold and creative in thinking of ways to expose as many as possible to the “Do No Harm” message, but please, do no harm in doing so.
It is not necessary to link to this web page or even to mention the source of the message. This is surely a case where the message is far more important than the messengers. All we ask is that you practice do no harm and take every opportunity to share the words "do no harm" with others.
If you wish to include this essay, or the link to the “Do No Harm” web page, that's fine, or if you wish to change the wording or write your own, that's equally fine. But if this movement is to succeed, and if we are ever to change our world for the better, we simply must share the “Do No Harm” message with family and friends, with neighbors and our community.
You can sign our guest book, or if you wish, send us your own thoughts or comments and we will add them to this web site.
Sometimes, all you really need to do is ask:
Do No Harm!
c.c.keiser & clyde grossman
updated September 7, 2006
For a free “Do No Harm” bumper sticker, send a business size Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope to either:
east of the Mississippi_______west of the Missisissippi
C.C.Keiser________________Clyde Grossman
4828 Maple Drive__________P.O Box 161088
Walnutport, PA 18088______Sacramento, CA 95816
Please send your comments, questions, responses, suggestions, etc. to info@donoharm.us. We may add them to the “comments” page.
Please do not send money! We do not accept monetary donations! Please support the movement by doing no harm and if you can, please spread the “Do No Harm” message.
Do No Harm!
This is the start of a new movement, the "Do No Harm" movement.
We seem to be living in a world that is getting meaner every day. We are either oblivious of the harm we cause or we ignore the harm we cause. Could it be because no one taught us otherwise?
Could it be because no one ever asked us to do no harm?
If we look at just about any endeavor our species has engaged in, it would seem we are unaware of the harm we do to others, or we intentionally do harm for our own gain, and sadly in some cases for our own pleasure and enjoyment.
Since we haven't been taught otherwise we see no harm in doing harm. We cause harm and shrug it off. We cause harm and laugh about it. We cause harm and brag about it.
Worse, our children bear witness to our actions and never learn to do no harm. Above all else we must teach our children, by example and instruction, this simple philosophy of life.
If we are to become a more evolved species we must begin to make better choices and treat each other with more respect, and that includes the other creatures who share this planet with us, and this planet we call home.
We believe that the first and most basic moral law is, "Do no harm." Why? Because we can feel pain and suffering, we can imagine the pain and suffering of others. Because we can imagine the pain and suffering of others, we can act accordingly.
What does "do no harm" mean? For some it means arbitrary restrictions of action (not to strike or kill), speech (not to lie or insult), and thought. But what it ultimately means is thoughtful consideration. “Do no harm” simply means to consider how our actions may affect the world we all share, to be compassionate in our dealings with all creatures, and not to despoil our planet.
Doctors are asked to “first do no harm,” why not lawyers, businessmen, religious leaders and politicians? Why not us? Why not now?
The very least we can do is to attempt to do no harm, and leave the world no worse than as we found it.
It sounds like a simple idea, because it is a simple idea, but it just may be effective over the long run. Will “do no harm” solve all the problems in our world? Perhaps not, but this is an effort to decrease the nastiness in the world and to increase the kindness.
We hope that “do no harm” becomes that little voice that guides our actions.
And we hope you will join the movement and spread the message "Do no harm."
Show everyone you care and use “Do no harm” to sign-off in your correspondence in place of "Best Wishes", "Yours" or "Regards."
If you have a web site, be proud of your support and add the words “Do No Harm” to the top of your home page were everyone will see it.
Be bold and creative in thinking of ways to expose as many as possible to the “Do No Harm” message, but please, do no harm in doing so.
It is not necessary to link to this web page or even to mention the source of the message. This is surely a case where the message is far more important than the messengers. All we ask is that you practice do no harm and take every opportunity to share the words "do no harm" with others.
If you wish to include this essay, or the link to the “Do No Harm” web page, that's fine, or if you wish to change the wording or write your own, that's equally fine. But if this movement is to succeed, and if we are ever to change our world for the better, we simply must share the “Do No Harm” message with family and friends, with neighbors and our community.
You can sign our guest book, or if you wish, send us your own thoughts or comments and we will add them to this web site.
Sometimes, all you really need to do is ask:
Do No Harm!
c.c.keiser & clyde grossman
updated September 7, 2006
For a free “Do No Harm” bumper sticker, send a business size Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope to either:
east of the Mississippi_______west of the Missisissippi
C.C.Keiser________________Clyde Grossman
4828 Maple Drive__________P.O Box 161088
Walnutport, PA 18088______Sacramento, CA 95816
Please send your comments, questions, responses, suggestions, etc. to info@donoharm.us. We may add them to the “comments” page.
Please do not send money! We do not accept monetary donations! Please support the movement by doing no harm and if you can, please spread the “Do No Harm” message.