The documentary: Flow

I watched this documentary recently --with thanks to the Kingston Public Library for having it in their collections. For a description, visit the film's website: www.flowthefilm.com. The film raises much that is unsettling, deeply troubling, as well as things that are hopeful. I recommend it.

For those of you who visit the blog regularly, you might have noticed I've added a link in the sidebar to charity:water, an organization founded by Scott Harrison. I feel moved by Scott's description of how he came to this project, and of his description of charity:

"Charity.

For me, charity is practical. It's sometimes easy, more often inconvenient, but always necessary. It's the ability to use one's position of influence, relative wealth and power to affect lives for the better. charity is singular and achievable.

There's a biblical parable about a man beaten near death by robbers. He's stripped naked and lying roadside. Most people pass him by, but one man stops. He picks him up and bandages his wounds. He puts him on his horse and walks alongside until they reach an inn. He checks him in and throws down his Amex. "Whatever he needs until he gets better."

Because he could.

The dictionary defines charity as simply the act of giving voluntarily to those in need. It's taken from the word "caritas," or simply, love. In Colossians 3, the Bible instructs readers to "put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness."

Although I'm still not sure what that means, I love the idea. To wear charity." (2006)

Thank you Scott for your work, vision, heart, and ability to inspire.

There were many inspiring words and scenes in the film Flow. Near the end, there is a scene of a "Play Pump". Essentially, it is the children's play on a merry-go-round like device (akin to a piece of playground equipment) that pumps water from a well. The photo below is from PlayPumps' website:

(One qualm I have about the Play Pump system--based on my initial reactions--it is the design feature for "advertising" on two sides of the storage tank and "educational" messages on the other two sides. I don't buy into either of these as a positive.)

* * *

There is so much that is troubling in the world, and so much that is beautiful and good. Let's persist in standing up for the good.