By Celia Coates
I happened to pick up a little book last week – a board book meant for very young. children and not the sort of book I spend time with these days.
But it felt like a gift in our unsettled times.
Its title is, IF I GAVE THE WORLD MY BLANKET, a Peanuts book written by Justin Thomson, not Charles Schulz. In recent years getting has taken the place of giving and the people who are generally admired as successful are the ones who gain power and money rather than those who put their energy into making their communities better. We are taught to advance the self and that kindness and generosity are almost foolish.
A blurb in the Peanuts book says,
“Linus’ blanket makes him feel safe and secure, now he wants to share that feeling with the rest of the world. This sweet little book will inspire Peanuts fans of all ages to be kind and give back to others. Everyone could use a security blanket sometimes.”
And, I don’t think you have to be a Peanuts fan to be inspired. Ideas about the value of community and relationship are becoming more common. One example – Ros Hartford, a reader of the English magazine New Scientist, wrote to the editor about a recent article that had asked about what makes a happy country, and she said that it has to do with the deep human need for community.
A reader of WINN once complained that I include too many quotes from other people in my posts. I thought about that for quite a while and realized that it is because I prefer a conversation to a lecture. It’s not about just one voice! Especially about the subjects WINN presents that include many different experiences and views.
To bring in quotes from the Peanuts book,
“If I gave the world my blanket… you wouldn’t fear the dark.”
And,
“If I gave the world my blanket…it would stop shaking.”
And,
“If I gave the world my blanket…it would soften the fall.”
Wondering what “blanket” I could give……..
The image that leads this post is by Blanket by Jorisa Monen, licensed through Pixabay