It’s Time
“Where were you when the world stopped turning?” a song that rings in my head now countless times a year since 2001. Alan Jackson sang this song after the tragedies of September 11, 2001. A day and time when each of us remembers where we were at every moment. Some sights and memories are etched in our memory and cannot be removed, but others are memories we wish we could see again today like patriotism, togetherness, and the ability to forgive one another. Those moments only lasted a short time though as if the tide came in one day and swept them out and only left broken shells of those times.
The world feels more divided and lonelier than ever. The world is truly more lost than ever. Social media dictates our life more than relationships, political lines have been drawn on partisan lines and so many actions seem like a relic of the past. Compromise, accepting one’s faults, unifying for the good of everyone, or just saying thank you for a good deed done seem to be a forethought.
Is everything broken? Do we throw our arms up and quit? The answer is simpler than you think.
I: Strength in Unity
Imagine a football team trying to win on the final drive of the game. Each player on the team has their specific job within the team from blocking to running to throwing and catching. If even one person misses their moment, the game is over, and the other team will win. BUT, if each person does their job and works together to the best of their ability, a different outcome will happen. Tom Brady says, “You just have to be what most people aren’t: consistent, determined, willing to work for it.” Together as a team, that is where great things happen day in and day out.
Sure, we face enormous challenges around the world, but collectively, a positive movement or togetherness will disrupt and rid such extremism in the world. Look no further than history as proof. The eradication of smallpox, the moon landing, and the development of life-saving medical procedures were all fueled by unity, collaboration, and teamwork. It took a group with diverse backgrounds fueled by a common goal, collaboration, and teamwork to dramatically change the world.
II: Diverse Perspectives
A single mind or focus, no matter how strong it may be, will have blind spots in it, but a team, working together can see the bigger picture and find solutions that might have been missed otherwise. It is time we value different perspectives. Instead of speaking and standing on the sidelines, we need to put our words into action.
If you start the sentence with: “I wish we could go back to…” or “Back when…” or “People today do not understand…” or “This generation…” If you begin a sentence with similar statements, then it is time to start talking and listening to different perspectives. By listening to others and not discounting what they are saying shows respect and understanding of their knowledge, experience, and viewpoints. The world is big, full of very interesting people, with diverse backgrounds and countless great people. Most of the world wants similar things, but we must recognize this and not always discount others because they look different, speak differently, or do things differently. When we come together with a variety of ideas, experiences, and approaches, we create a richer tapestry of solutions.
III: The Four
So, how do we foster unity in a divided world? Here are the first four steps we can take together:
Focus on common ground: Despite our differences, we all share a desire for a better world. Let's start by identifying shared goals and work towards them.
Practice active listening: Truly listen to understand, not just to respond. Seek out diverse viewpoints and engage in respectful dialogue.
Celebrate differences: Our unique backgrounds and perspectives are our strengths, not weaknesses. Let's leverage this diversity to create a more vibrant and innovative society.
Empathy is for another: Put yourself in someone else's shoes. Try to understand their concerns and motivations. This builds bridges of understanding.
IV: It’s Time
Alan Jackson sang his song, “Where were you when the world stopped turning” countless times, and is still played today on the radio. Today, what is our song? It is time to quit acting full of selfishness, being self-centered, greedy, and not caring about the person beside us. It is time to put down our daily distractions such as our phones, tablets, and televisions.
Today, take a moment for yourself. Sit in silence for the first time in years. Can you even sit in silence for a few minutes without wanting to check your phone or move around? Today, take a moment and write a card to someone you wish you took time to reach out to over the past year, but never did. Today, have lunch with someone you keep putting off. Today, cry like you have wanted to, but thought you had to be strong. Today, write a letter to yourself of everything you have bottled up and then light a match to it, so today starts a fresh start for you. Today, set a timer on your phone so you spend more time with the people you love rather than scrolling aimlessly about people who don’t care about you. Today, ask yourself, what role am I going to take to change the world?
It's time we choose to stand together. We leave our differences at the door and step through to a new day. We can create a brighter future for ourselves and the generations to come. The world needs change, but even more importantly, we must be the change now so that future generations can see it is possible. Be the beacon of hope for the future.
It’s time. Let’s go, together.
XOXO
Mark