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Unity requires perpetual interactions; honest and genuine communication is at its foundation. It requires everyone to clearly understand that if we are to attain this elusive concept of truly being united, then we shall embrace the understanding that it is not about you, but it can be because of you! The “IT” is the operative concept: we engage daily with a universe filled with diverse individuals both foreign and domestic. However, we build nuclear weapons that have the capabilities to destroy the world; we are embroiled in a constant state of fear and “made-up” reasons to engage in ceaseless wars. We appear to be poised to destroy ourselves in the process. We allegedly claim to oppose bullying, yet our actions loudly refute this claim.
Unity is not the gathering of individuals to conduct photo opportunities, smile, shake hands, do sing-alongs, and sit at a table with the “strangers” we encounter on a daily basis. We—the collective we—are doing our very best to be comfortable in our immediate surroundings while wearing our happy mask. Underneath our mask, we hide behind the forced smile etched on our face as we nervously wait and subconsciously prepare for that unwelcomed camera to flash.
Unity is indeed a powerful concept and a welcomed occurrence. Unity was never a party to a separatist attitude.
We present an attitude of acceptance when unity is attached to our actions. Choosing to ignore that the required actions that must be applied to bring it into existence is somehow precluded.
Life is sometimes seen as “a bed of roses.” Seldom does anyone address the thorns that are a part of those beautiful, fragrant flowers. When left in their natural state and not de-thorned through genetic compromise, the thorns of the rose are capable of causing excruciating pain, as are the thorns of life.
We owe it to ourselves to roll up our sleeves and go to work for achieving Unity. We must report to this job with an attitude, enthusiasm, and vigor identical to the approach we use when attempting to convince that special person that he/she is the one, or when presenting ourselves to those interviewers who make our desires to obtain that dream job a reality. Pursue our wishes—to live in harmony, enjoy our families, watch our children grow into happy, well adjusted, gainfully employed adults—as if our own life depends on the work of it, because it does.
Melvin “Casey” Lars ©
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Photo credit: istockphoto.com