Whoever said ‘there are signs everywhere’ was correct. And, viewing this collection of overhead signs from New York’s glorious, elevated pedestrian park ‘The High Line’ gave me great thoughts to ponder.
The unrelated signage, obviously created by separate individuals, had a distinct collective feel to them. In the foreground, a vivid painting of rainbow colors superimposed by the images of Mother Teresa and Mahatma Gandhi. Both of these great individual’s lives were spent in service to others, but in vastly different ways. Whereas Mother Teresa devoted her chosen life of social activism to the needy and poor, Mahatma Gandhi spent his life, right up until his assassination, working tirelessly on political activism in leading India’s campaign towards independence. Yet their ‘purpose’ was uncannily similar. Gandhi has been quoted as saying, “Happiness is found when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”, and Mother Teresa’s, by her vow to give “wholehearted free service to the poorest of the poor,” makes clear that a life of service to others is the key to greatness. Think of it this way, Gandhi’s quote is a call to take action by aligning thoughts, words and deeds; and Mother Teresa through her deeds puts into action her call to do good.
The next board over in the photograph was the most stirring to me. It was a depiction and translation of a book inscription found in a relic old volume. Originally written in Arabic and dated March 1892, the translation tells us of a man, Fathallah Saad, who by the inscription, claimed ownership to a book that he had bought using his own money. So many images ran through my head in reading this billboard sign. Was this gentleman an Arab or an Egyptian or Palestinian? And what experiences did he have that lead to this inscription? Was it a part of his culture to claim ownership to a book, and was reading a book so important to him that he felt his ownership must be established in black and white?
The final board hovering over in the right margin is of a Mexican National speaking to the citizens of the United States, “A Wall divides more than just people. There are over 800 species that share the border. #keeptheborderWILD.” This sign is so representative of our country’s current events; it truly leaves one with the idea to look at an issue from another point of view. It doesn’t mean that you or I have to change our stance on the issue, but asks us to just consider another side of it when deliberating. I find that challenge refreshing.
I love the thought provoking messages I received in viewing these signs from the wonderful elevated vantage point of The High Line!