Leadership

“Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it.  Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it.  Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.”   

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

The MLK Jr. quote is a reminder to me that Love is a choice, that Love can be revolutionary (can cause dramatic change), and that Love does win.

Reality for all (maybe most) of us…we are thinking, talking, living, and I will use the words, obsessing and consumed about and with Covid and the election. Pandemics and politics.

I confess and acknowledge that I am struggling like you and yours.  Covid is still here wreaking havoc at every turn and impacting pretty much all of us. Then, toss in all that is going on in the political realm. Struggle bus.  And, yes, the actual election day is officially upon us.  The world we are living in feels eerily weird, not normal or peaceful and far from being unified—is that even possible?

Things seem, no, actually, things are, chaotic, divisive, and unsettling on so many levels. I am an optimistic person, by nature, yet, these days things seem like a lose-lose at every turn. Lots of emotions (big ones) and thoughts everywhere.  I mean, where are these two things not being talked about? 

I’ve been thinking and pondering, what happens after election day?  The words peace, unity and love bubbled to the top. 

So…what now?

First, I remind myself and I remind you of the quote above and the truth that we all have choices. Daily and moment by moment. 

Next, I remind myself that we are all humans worthy of dignity and respect, no matter our morals, values, beliefs or party.  What breaks my heart may not break yours and vice versa.  Thank God we aren’t all the same.

Finally, we can choose and be committed to “be, do and bring” peace, unity and love, whatever the results. With that, think about these questions:

1.  What will we choose to do, to be, do and bring peace? 
2.  What will we choose to do, to be, do and bring unity? 
3.  What will we choose to do, to be, do and bring love? 

My hope and belief is that I can and will do what’s required.  Will i do it perfectly every single time?  I assure you I won’t.  Yet, I am going to give it my best shot and celebrate when I do it well, and, I will get up and try again, when I falter.

My hope and belief is that you can do the same!  Together, we CAN do our part and make choices that will bring about (or move us closer to) peace, unity and love, in our world and to our fellow humans.

Dig Deeper:  

• How will you “be” peace in your circles? 
• How will you “do” peace in the places you show up? 
• How will you “bring” peace wherever you go? 
• What about this—How will you “encourage” peace among your family, friends, and co-workers…in the world?

This is a call to BE PROACTIVE and INTENTIONAL!

Know ahead of time what you will be, do and bring. 
Prepare ahead of time what you will say to others. 

Go back up to the Dig Deeper. INSERT the words UNITY and LOVE into the questions and give an honest answer.  Remember.  Each action may look/play out different than we think or have seen before. Be open and trust your heart.

Let’s all do our part, to rise up and be peace-bringers to our relationships, at home, work, and play…in the world…and on social media! Let’s love others like we want to be loved. And, Let’s knock it up a notch or two in our choices and chose with intention, knowing it will make a difference toward unifying humanity.

scripture brings me comfort & gives me guidance

Action Step: Meditate on these verses

Phillipians 4:6-8 NLT -  Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand and His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing.  Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.  Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise...

pic credit: Pixabay