In December of 2003 I had the opportunity to attend the Alliance for the New Humanity conference in Puerto Rico. I would like to share the following declaration of interconnectedness which was inspired by my experience in Puerto Rico.

Declaration of Interconnectedness

I, Kristin Masterton, am a living breathing intimately connected part of humanity and this world in which we live. Realizing my interconnectedness to all of life, I look upon all as myself and treat as sacred each being I come into contact with. As an irreplaceable part of the whole, I accept my responsibility to know, experience and express my ability to contribute to the creation of a world that nurtures all of life. When a stone is thrown in a pool of water its ripples cascade outward. When I think, speak, or act – those thoughts, words and actions cascade outward into our world, affecting not only my own self and those close to me, but all of life. I nurture life in the following ways:

1) I nurture life though practicing forgiveness, compassion and non-harming in thought, word and deed. I begin by practicing compassion towards myself by not using momentary failures to live up to my full potential as an excuse to harm myself through violent self-talk or action, but instead use these moments as an opportunity to practice forgiveness and compassion towards myself.

2) I nurture life through nurturing my relationships. These relationships include my relationship with God, with myself, with my family, and extending outward to the greater community in which I live and to the world as a whole.

3) I nurture life through surrendering to the knowing that life is change. Therefore I welcome change. I will not cling too tightly to any part of life, including my beliefs, ideas or point of view.

4) I nurture life through healing my own inner wounds. I affirm the unity of all of life and accept that violence without reflects violence within. Knowing this, I know that my healing affects the whole. Therefore, I will be fearless in looking deep within my own self for the root causes of violence and will find safe ways to experience, express, share and release that pain.

5) I nurture life through finding my purpose and talents and freely sharing them with others. I remember that – just as all of us – I am a vital part of the whole. I experience my unique potential for creative action, remembering that what is important is not the recognition, approval or opinions of others, but the truth I bring to my actions.

6) I nurture life through celebrating and honoring life in all its expressions. I do this through practicing acceptance, non-judgment and giving others the space to be who they are.

I, Kristin Masterton, know that there is something greater than my small self. It is that greater whole that I serve.

Kristin Masterton (Dec, 2003)


That is my personal commitment and vision. I invite you to share it with me. I also invite you to discover more about the vision of the Alliance for the New Humanity by visiting http://www.anhglobal.org

Wishing you peace, harmony, laughter and love,
Kristin