We’ve entered a new year full of promise, hope, and intention. That third one is probably the most important for me.
I can’t control what happens in the world. I can’t even always control what happens near me. But I can control how I react and I can set myself up for a wonderful year through my intentions.
I intend to have an amazing year!
Many people decide on a single word to guide them through their year. I wasn’t planning on setting one, but today, a single word keeps popping into my head over and over.
Unity.
It’s something we could really use more of, on a grand scale and on a small one. I’m going to focus on what’s right around me. I firmly believe that we can accomplish so much more when we work together than when we keep to our silos—comfortable though they may be.
I’ve always tried to surround myself with people who think in different ways or see the world differently than I do. When it comes to problem-solving, if everyone has the same ideas and outlook, where’s the innovation?
When you’re surrounded by people with different outlooks, you can’t necessarily predict what they’re going to say or how they’ll react. That can lead to uncomfortable encounters. It can be scary.
Human interactions have become more complicated. More emotionally charged. It’s harder to disagree openly and have faith that you’ll be able to talk things out civilly or even rationally.
Humans are emotional beings. But how can we learn about each other when we shut people out?
I’m not saying there aren’t times when it’s necessary to remove toxic relationships. That absolutely should be done. But when we discard each other too easily or quickly, what do we think happens to those left out or left behind?
It isn’t easy to reach out. It can be even harder to stay engaged. It can be risky and hurtful—for everyone involved. But I think I’m finally in a place where I can try to build something better into all my relationships, even the challenging ones.
We share this planet and the societies that we’ve created together upon it. There’s no getting away from that. And as long as we do, we need to find a way forward together. A way that we can disagree and still be civil. A way that finds compromise and common ground where we can.
Despite every difference we may have, we’re all human. And I have faith in humanity.
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