Bleeding Edge

When anthropologist Margaret Mead was asked by a student what she considered to be the first sign of civilization in a culture — the student expected Mead to talk about fishhooks or clay pots or grinding stones.

But no.

Ms Mead said that the first sign of civilization in an ancient culture was a femur (thighbone) that had been broken and then healed.

Professor Mead went on to explain that in the animal kingdom, if you break your leg, you die.

You cannot run from danger, you can’t get to the river for a drink of water, nor can you hunt for your food.

Indeed, with a broken leg — you are just ready meat to become a meal for the prowling wild beasts.

No animal survives a broken leg long enough for the bone to heal.

A broken femur that has healed is evidence that someone has taken time to stay with the person who fell, has bound up the wound, has carried the person to safety and has tended the person through recovery.

Helping someone else through difficulty is where civilization starts…

Yours,

Dr Churchill

PS:

This is what I say also:

“We are at our best when we serve others.”

Be civilized.

Serve others if you want to serve yourself…