From My Perspective: How Do We Come Back?

Rather than writing yet another piece about how divided we all are, I thought maybe it was time to start writing more about coming back together. Coming back together for the good of our town, for the good of our country, for the good of our families, and for the good of us all as individuals.

It seems strange to talk about the good of individuals when talking about coming back together as a group, but truly, on an individual level is where it all begins. It starts with each one of us starting with one thing we want to focus on improving, that, in turn, can benefit a larger group.

I listen to and read a lot of books on self-help and positivity. Some of my favorite authors (Wayne Dyer, Louise Hay, John Maxwell and Abraham Hicks) focus on the Law of Attraction theories. Basic Law of Attraction theories explain that you get what you focus on – and it’s universally true. Don’t believe me? Think back to a day when you woke up on the “wrong side of the bed.” Then you spilled your coffee, forgot something important, and the bad stuff continued. Not because you’re a bad person, but because your thoughts kept focusing on all that had gone wrong that day, so by the Law of Attraction, more wrong continued. In order to improve situations, one thing all the experts seem to suggest and agree on is that if you want something to be or get better, you have to focus on the positive outcome, not the way it is now. That’s a difficult thing to do when everything around us seems to be so out of control, so negative, but I do know that it has worked for me in the past. We, as a whole, can use all of the help we can get!

In our country, we’ve been so focused on hating our opposing politics, beliefs and people for so long, how can we not have more of the same develop as we continue to focus on it. Humor me… what if we focused our attention and energy on coming together, on supporting whoever is in an elected office with good energy, think of the possibilities. There is power in the solution, and even more power in being part of the solution.

Start with something small. The little things really do make a difference. Some ideas begin with small random acts of kindness, like holding the door for someone or buying the person behind you in line a cup of coffee. I would also say smile, actually, yes, smile. Even if no one can see it through your mask, your eyes will say you’re smiling, and it makes a difference. Listen to what people are really saying, not to respond, but to value what they have to say, whether you agree with them or not. Turn off your television, put down your phone and spend time with people.

Write a letter or send a card and let someone know you’re thinking about them. Sometimes, getting a letter from a friend in the mail makes all the difference in the world during an especially rough time. It lets them know they aren’t alone and someone cares. That they have someone. That’s connecting and coming back together. As I find myself with a little more time, I’ll be writing my holiday cards and letters this year. Nothing generic, and nothing pre-printed. It’s time to reach out and connect to those who mean something to us. It doesn’t cost anything additional to mail a card with a letter inside. How would it make you feel to receive one from someone you care about, who took the time to let you know you matter to them?

As individuals, we all have interests and beliefs. Find a group of like-minded people and start there. For me, my interests include fiber arts, raising sheep, canning, baking and dehydrating, gardening and bird watching. Find people and things you like and connect to them. Organizations you belong to may have deeper roots on city, state, national and international levels, which can connect us to people not just in our town, but throughout the world.

In recent past, I’ve talked about how detrimental and divisive social media is, but like most things, there are good and bad sides/aspects to everything – social media included. Facebook, if you ignore the politics, can be an amazing resource for connecting and coming together with people who share the same interests as you. I belong to groups related to knitting, baking, canning, raising livestock, birding, and more. I have met some of the most wonderful people by connecting with them there, and have broadened my networks while making friends and connecting with people from all over the globe.

We need to come together more than ever. To put our differences aside and get back to what connects us – or find new things that do. Even in small towns like ours, there are organizations and groups of like-minded people. Find one that interests you and connect with them.

So, instead of focusing on the negative, how can you be part of the positive change that brings us back together? What can you do today to help affect a positive change in yourself, our community, and as a nation? I know you have ideas – now’s your chance to follow through, and like Ghandi once said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”