We Are Better Together
This is it, in a cliché-esque nutshell. My hope for this blog. One more voice in the millions out there. However, if I can shout one thing to the cosmos today, in this moment, it is this—WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER. In our families, our neighborhoods, our schools, our places of employment, our communities, our country, our world—we are stronger, kinder, more resilient, healthier, more knowledgeable, more productive, more creative—in so many ways we are ‘more’ when we do life together.
In a society that seeks to divide, marginalize, often ridicule diversity of thought—we all benefit when we’re intentional in finding ways to unite. I’m not one for declaring absolutes, but here’s one I will state: we must choose to fight the forces of negativity in our culture that act as a repellent, causing us to pull away from each other. This slippery slope of division, if left unchecked, will erode the very underpinnings of our nation. If there is no “we the people” what will remain?
In 2020, with our sophisticated, 21st century, high tech advancements, we’ve discovered that a microorganism can bring us to our knees with devastating ease, halting our very way of life. Clothed in frail humanity, we’re not so far removed from our ancestors of old. Likewise, we are not immune to the extreme kinds of destruction that ideological, racial, and religious schisms can inflict upon groups of people. Let’s heed the lessons from the past. The fuel of genocide is hatred, the force compelled when neighbor turns against neighbor. Sadly, our current day news is filled with images of rioting and violence, citizens rising up against fellow citizens. May we not sink any further into this toxic pool of conflict.
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Take heart friends, there are beautiful, hope-filled options available to us.
We can actively choose to believe that we are better together—even, no especially, in our differences.
Acknowledge the image of the Divine Father within each person we encounter. From this acknowledgement will flow kindness, patience, and respect.
Search for the admirable. It’s there, I promise. Hit the off button on those negative, critical thoughts and instead look for the positive in others.
In this process, we will find aspects of commonality, points of agreement. There is always common ground to be unearthed, even with that person who voted for…(you fill in the blank).
In the midst of this ultra charged election year, it will help immensely to turn off the noise from political voices that thrive on our division. We don’t have to go there. Come November, whoever is elected, it will be on us to find ways to lean in together, to unite. Whether President Biden or President Trump—we are better together!
Remember that laughter is the best medicine. When we laugh together, we experience a healing moment of joy. A spontaneous celebration of our shared humanity. Let’s do it often!
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Not convinced? You’re content with your life as a lone wolf, or with your people. Consider this—the world needs YOU. Somebody, somewhere will benefit from your unique thoughts, your knowledge, your smile, kind gesture, your perspective. Please don’t withhold the gift of you. We need you. Undoubtedly, as you open yourself to this crazy world and its inhabitants, you’ll discover some new things about yourself. You might just find that you need us, too.
To live in active togetherness, oh lordy, it’s not easy. Mega doses of patience, tenacity, and humility are required. There will be moments of discomfort and frustration, sometimes anger. Annoyance, yes, that too. With practice we can learn to listen and communicate with reason. We’ll learn when to compromise and the sweet language of forgiveness. There will be days when we have to agree to disagree. That’s okay.
The stakes are high friends, we need each other. Even more, our country needs us to need each other. Let’s work together to preserve the “we” in “we the people.”
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“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” Romans 12:10
