How would you answer the question, “What does it mean to be human?”

In under eight minutes, filmmakers from around the world shared their answers to this simple question.

I cried, shivered, and smiled watching this beautiful video. From the visuals to the spoken words, oh-so-much touched my heart.

One of my favorite answers to the question derives from a passage for which Ghandi is credited: “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

The man speaking asks, “We can all talk about things changing, but if you, yourself, don’t subscribe to it, what is that?”

Meanwhile the song, “All We Do” by Oh Wonder, takes us on a different journey throughout the video. It adds a depth and a voice of dark reality.

Listen as the lyrics contradict what we see and hear. The somber tone and repeated refrain, “I’ve been upside down. I don’t wanna be the right way round. Can’t find paradise on the ground,” are so daunting and without hope.

Yet, the images show smiles, break-dancing, and children playfully running. Then another voice, layered over the song offers optimism, “…as long as like you’re actually breathin’, you’ve always got a second chance.” He giggles and continues, “Life isn’t like, ‘Oh, so you failed, that’s it for you!’”

Toward the end, one of the men reminds us that even though life gets hard, we need each other. “You can’t live life by yourself. You need to give in and say, ‘You’re here too.’”

So please—take a break, sit back, and enjoy the answers to, “What does it mean to be human?”

Finally, know you are not alone; there are always second chances. You can be the change you want to see in the world too.

Have other inspiring videos to share? Send them to the elephant journal.

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Author: Kate Fleming
Image: YouTube still
Editor: Travis May