So much good
It is easy to believe that our world is becoming more polarized and moving farther apart from each other…but I don’t think that is actually the truth. I do think it is what we hear and read most about regardless of where you find your information.
The reason? Sensationalism.
Our reality becomes whatever we focus on and/or are interested in. This is no longer a metaphorical statement because whatever you click on in terms of news or headlines determines what types of articles you are shown in the future. You can easily create your own “echo chamber” and begin to think that what you are seeing is truth when it is not.
We have to take a more proactive stance and look for the good in each other and our world so we can see with our own eyes what is going on around us. We have to choose to do this and fight against the tide of those who want us to pick a side.
If you pick a side, it is the losing side! Our community, our nation, our world can no longer afford for us to indulge our egos and believe we are right and others are wrong. We can no longer look at “us” and “them” because it is too easy to accuse or blame “them”. In the end, there is no “them”…there is only “us”.
Leaders must avoid ego, rhetoric, talking points, and messaging.
Leaders must embrace authenticity, connecting, emotions, and being human.
In order for that to happen, we must all allow leaders the option of being wrong…of being human…of being like us. Leaders are not more than others. Leaders don’t have super-powers. Leaders are not smarter or superior to others. Leaders are simply those who are willing to try. They are willing to risk their own comfort and safety for the greater good.
We have so many examples of people doing just that in the world but we can’t see or hear them because of the noise. We have tens or hundreds of thousands of people working to serve and save others and they are literally risking their lives to do so. The other so-called leaders we watch and listen to are risking nothing. They are given vast resources and protected. Even if they were to get sick, would they need to worry about access to care?
What about our healthcare workers, food service personnel, educators, sanitation workers, delivery folks, assisted-living personnel, all first responders, military personnel, non-profit personnel and volunteers still offering assistance to those in need and all of the others who are still risking their lives each day to provide care and service to the rest of us? Shouldn’t they be celebrated? Shouldn’t they be rewarded? Shouldn’t we read more stories about their determination, service and sacrifice?
If we did, would we feel and think differently?
- Would we be more positive and hopeful?
- Would we be less angry at “them”?
- What if we all decided to be “for” something instead of “against”?
- What if we began to value those who truly add value instead of those try to divide us?
- What if we listened less and read more?
- What if we made up our own minds?
- What if we listened to both sides and began to understand neither was completely right?
- What if no longer labeled ourselves or others?
What if we looked for the good every day…and found it?