So, I found myself humming that old Raffi song the other day, “One Light One Sun”. You know the one? Simple tune, heard it ages ago, probably when the kids were small or something. Didn’t think much of it back then, just another kid’s song.
But it popped back into my head recently, and the words kinda hung around this time. “One light solar system, one world turning…” Real basic stuff, yeah? Almost too simple. But I got to thinking, what if you actually tried to, you know, feel that for a bit?
Trying it out
Decided to make it a small, personal project. Not changing the world or anything dramatic. Just for a few days, I actively tried to notice the ‘one-ness’ of things the song talks about. Sounds a bit hippy-dippy, I know, but bear with me.
I started simple. On my way to work, I consciously looked at the sunlight hitting everything – buildings, cars, people. Same sun for everyone. Obvious, right? But I made myself notice it. Same with the road, everyone sharing it (though some share better than others, let’s be real).
Then I tried to extend it. Thinking about the people I passed. Strangers, mostly. But we’re all under that same sun, breathing the same air, walking on the same bit of planet. Just tried to hold that thought for a second instead of just rushing past.
Where it got tricky
Honestly? It’s harder than it sounds. Life gets in the way. You’re stressed about a deadline, someone’s annoying you, you’re stuck in traffic. That whole “one world” vibe disappears pretty quick. I’d start the day trying to notice the connections, and by lunchtime, I’d be mentally yelling at someone for cutting in line.
- I tried focusing on shared resources. Like, the water coming out of the tap. Comes from somewhere, goes somewhere, we all rely on it. Made me think twice before letting it run, sometimes.
- Looked at the news. Seeing stuff happening far away, I tried to remember the “one world” thing. Didn’t make the problems go away, obviously. Sometimes just made me feel more frustrated, like we’re all stuck on this rock together making a mess.
- Even just watching people interact. The good bits and the bad bits. All part of the same human story playing out under that one sun.
So, what happened?
It wasn’t some big revelation. Didn’t suddenly become enlightened or anything close. But the practice of it, the act of deliberately shifting my focus for a while, was interesting.
It was like adjusting the zoom on a camera. Most days, you’re focused tight on your own little world, your immediate problems and plans. This was like zooming out a tiny bit, just enough to see more of the background, the shared stage we’re all on.
That song, “One Light One Sun,” it’s still just a simple kids’ song. But trying to actively apply its very simple message, even for a short while, just noticing the shared basics… well, it gave me something to chew on. Made the mundane feel a tiny bit different. Didn’t fix anything, but it was a worthwhile little exercise in perspective. Just noticing. That was the whole practice, really.
