You may recall the 1993 movie “Groundhog Day” about a cynical TV weatherman named Phil who finds himself reliving the same day over and over again when he goes on location to the small town of Punxsutawney to film a report about their annual Groundhog Day. His predicament drives him to distraction until he sees a way of turning the situation to his advantage. Following any number of charades and even suicide attempts, he gives up on himself entirely and devotes himself to helping others. Now that Phil has learned to forget about his ego and to accept the things he can’t change, he starts to become a better person.
Don’t Let Breaking News Break You
Right now, it feels like a moment in history where choices made will have a ripple effect for generations to come.
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
~Reinhold Niebuhr
Forget the headlines and the bylines —and get off the sidelines. It’s not about me. It’s not about you. It’s about US. We can do more. We can do better. Some of us are still asking for permission when we should just be giving the world notice. Notice that we are at a crossroads of a whole new chapter for humanity. A marker in history where the opportunity exists to come together and reimagine how to build a better future.
Let’s break the cycle of “deja vu all over again” day after day, year after year. Let’s stop the insanity of witnessing and doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Because Groundhog Day need not be every day. We can do better than that. And we can do more ⤵︎
Forget rebuilding old bridges. Forget fixing what’s broken. We can do better together. It’s time to rise above it all and forge our own path. …
A path where humans really do come first. Led by a compass embracing the greater good of mankind and built upon a firm foundation of absolute values. NEW bridges supported by the eight pillars of joy, starting with the 4 pillars of the mind —perspective, humility, humor, and acceptance, coupled with the four pillars of the heart —forgiveness, gratitude, compassion, and generosity. Don’t wait for permission. Don’t wait for tomorrow. Don’t wait for someone else. Together, let’s take the road less traveled. Because we can all do better. Starting right now.
Thank you, Dennis. You’re very good at finding that nail head and giving it a whack.
I think part of the challenge is our tendency to misunderstand scope, i.e. our reach. Every time I show up, I have the opportunity to make a difference. With the person who cuts me off in traffic, the sales associate at the grocery store, the litter in the parking lot, the list goes on. Remember the song “Everybody wants to rule the world’? I’m not large and in charge, yet I can always model the light I would like to see.
Be well, my friend.
Mac
A wonderful “real-time” example, Mac – and as you’ve suggested, when it comes to making a (positive) difference, it takes so little to do so much for so many. … Thanks for joining us in “walking the talk” my friend …
You are absolutely right. We can all do our share to make a difference. We need to treat others as we would like to be treated. Stop staying stuck in the news and do something about it to help promote change. Be all we can be and do all we can do. Easier said then dice I’m sure but you have to start sinewhere.
Right on target here, Eva Marie – thank you!
Count us in, always, Dennis, we take our mandate to elevate seriously. It may sound like a clever branding, but it’s who we are. We’re the kid on the beach tossing the starfish back, saying “it made a difference to this one.” We must be the change we want, or… I’m not even going there. We are indeed at a nexus, and it’s a big one. Let’s make it the best one. Thanks for writing, and for giving us the venue!
We will indeed count on you both, my friend – as you are one of the critical bricks in the foundation paving the way for our collective rediscovery of humanity… And we are so grateful for your presence…
After so many competent comments I just have to limit myself to saying that the important thing is not to focus on something we think (or rather, we hope) will happen to us, but on how to use our skills to make ourselves useful to the world.
So fundamental and right on target my friend. Thank you!
The most powerful statement here is: “Don’t wait for permission. Don’t wait for tomorrow. Don’t wait for someone else.” This right here gives us all permission to step up and be the change we want to see in the world. #bravo!
Indeed, Carolyn #permissiongranted to everyone to craft a better way forward … Grateful for your presence as together we craft a foundation “for good” …
now THAT (Reinhold Niebuhr) is a great quote Dennis 😂 … thanks for sharing your thoughts …
You hit several chords of truth my brother. Your missive calls to my thoughts the Bible Book of James 1:22-25, “Be doers of the word and not just hearers, deceiving yourselves”.
Faith without good works (actions) is an empty, shallow faith.
Beautiful shared, Dennis! A call to new brave actions from those 8 pillars. Yes, indeed. I am all in-200 percent. To transcend the current realities a person must heal deeply from their own inside turmoil-the mind – heart melodramas while simultaneously bringing those gifts gleaned from the process of giving generously to others-a quiet space to be heard, seen, valued, a place to create beautiful lives of love and service, to be with and support other people in their process of awakening to something beyond patterns that no longer serve US. Thank you so much for your inspiring call to love one another, to heal, to transcend beyond the struggles of the small self. US needs us more than ever before….
I am grateful you are part of my life, part of the US.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Laura
Grateful for your kind words always, Laura. It’s time for us all to stop waiting and start doing more!
Thank you, Dennis! I know I’m not alone in my struggle to not only wrap my head around where we are but also figure out where to go from here. It’s not a simple as telling people to “just be happy.” This chasm that continues to widen is complicated and messy and deeply intertwined with personal identity and tribal convictions. I do not know what the answer is, but I know that there is a tipping point for each of us.
As always, I’m grateful for your ability to cut through the noise and offer a view worth considering.
Right on target here, my friend – It’s not as simple as feeling happy… It’s about taking control and doing what we can to carve our own path as individuals and as a global community. We reached that proverbial “tipping point” many years back which is precisely what inspired us to look forward wherever, however, and whenever possible to charting a journey to rediscover humanity …
Such a wise analogy and passage here Dennis.
Thank you so much for this inspiration, and motivation… to start a parade…and march with pride…celebrating the joy of what is simply meant to be.
I didn’t ask for permission to be born… so I won’t ask for permission to live anymore.. I will just do.
I want to step on the gas….of giving…wake up the world where we are living… humanity… my brothers, sisters …and me
Thank you and always with you my friend
Paula
Always grateful, Paula. We all have to lift our eyes higher than our circumstances, higher than the trials and tribulations around us, looking forward versus down, my friend. And that is the starting point from which we can chart a new and better path …