What does it mean to be a patriot?
Commonly, a patriot is someone who loves their country, sometimes bordering on nationalism.
In Mahatma Gandhi’s writings, he says that patriotism is not commitment or dedication to a country or nation but to humanity as a whole – he even goes one step further and says we should have that same love and commitment to our entire planet, not just the human race.
What does it look like to have the same sense of patriotism for our planet as some of us do for our country?
First, it is an ongoing commitment and discipline to protecting the future wellbeing of our planet and of humanity.
Patriots think not just about today, but about the everlasting guardianship of the object of their patriotism.
Second, it requires putting the planet – and its inhabitants and all humanity – before oneself.
Patriots are willing to sacrifice their everything for their home.
Third, there is a personal responsibility taken to guard and support humans and the planet when it is in danger or distress.
Patriots take personally any offence made against their home, and do whatever is necessary of them to rectify it.
Fourth, it includes steadfast love and devotion towards all people and our planet.
Patriots truly love their home, and no other quality of a patriot is possible without that love.
In essence, patriots are the ultimate citizen: committed, disciplined, sacrificial, responsiveness, and devoted to the land and the people they love.
When it comes to our planet and our humanity, what more could we ask for than that?
In my next post I will be exploring further the idea of love in global patriotism.