This week’s Inspirational message and interpretation emphasizes the power of individuals committed to a focused, collective endeavor. Our quote comes from the Shawnee Indian chief, Tecumseh:
“A single twig breaks, but the bundle of twigs is strong.”
I don’t know about you, but last Wednesday when hearing the young American Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman, share her poem “The Hill We Climb” at the new administration’s inauguration ceremony, I felt hopeful and encouraged. Despite her youth, Amanda delivered a masterclass on the power of inspirational words. I got caught up in the current of her tone, the depth of her descriptions, and the crashing impact of the emotions it stirred up in my soul. It felt like I was joining her on an exciting and frightening journey – one in which we must be brave and vulnerable enough to balance acknowledging the reality of the world around us with the determination that we all have an individual duty to play a part in improving it.
I think that as we reflect upon the numerous challenges that face us globally, nationally, regionally… it’s easy to assume that the scope of these problems necessitates a high level of leadership focus in order to address them. And while I agree that significant change efforts typically require the legitimate horsepower of official offices, I sometimes worry that this type of rationalization can lead to a dangerous trap relieving us of self-accountability. Understandably, this is a common perspective. It’s not unlike the psychological bystander effect, when you acknowledge that something needs to be done but you naturally assume that if it’s that important, surely someone else with more power than me will do it. In cases like this, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer size of a major issue, especially when you imagine the lack of success you might have as an individual attempting to hold back a flood. However, it is also self-defeating to believe that your actions, even as an individual, won’t have an impact.
Amanda’s powerful words reminded me of a story I had once heard regarding the challenge and frustration of facing obstacles alone:
A professor gave a balloon to every student. They each had to inflate it, write their name on it and throw it in the hallway. The professor then mixed all of the balloons. He next gave the students five minutes to find their own balloon. Despite a hector search, no one was able to find their balloon. At that point the professor then told the students to pick up the balloon closest to them and then hand it to the person whose name was written on it. Within five minutes, everyone had their own balloon. The professor’s message was this: “These balloons are like happiness. We will never find it if everyone is looking for their own as individuals. But if we care about other people’s happiness collectively… we typically find ours as well.”
This week’s message is a short but powerful one. As Amanda Gorman eloquently shared, there are numerous obstacles on the hill we climb. Many of them will require a unified stance as we attempt to navigate which path leads us to the aspirational goal at its peak. But here’s the important catch - it still requires us all to make the decision to stand up and take that first step as individuals. Whether that step involves finding someone else’s balloon of happiness or it represents being Tecumsa’s single brave but breakable twig, collectively we’re always stronger, and then there’s no limit to how high we can climb. How are you helping someone reach their peak today?
Comentários