Out of Crisis: The opportunity to find unity

“Always seek out the seed of triumph in every adversity.”

 ~Og Mandino

I decided on Saturday afternoon, after finding myself tearful at the division in our world to focus on unity this week.

Not the flowery 'kumbaya' holding hands and buying the world a Coke. The kind of unity that sometimes requires digging down through the pain of misunderstanding, mistrust, and jaundiced opinions until you find the rock bottom of conventional truth. I was sensing that the drought of unity in our world, particularly in our United States, is bringing us to a very dangerous place. 

And then, I woke up Sunday to some tragic news.

Thousands of lives were changed early Sunday morning - Forever.

Every fear I face as a parent of young adults who are living their lives to the fullest came true for hundreds of Moms and Dads. A single human, motivated by fear, confusion and power, entered a night club in Orlando and took control over the lives of completely innocent humans. I awoke to the news, filled with questions. I turned to all of the standard resources to try and find them. And true to form, humanity reacted with much of the same fears and confusion that probably motivated that sick young man.

I wasn't surprised. I'd seen it before. Up close and personal. So have you.

 I've come to understand that some people are very inept and uncomfortable in dealing with human tragedy, and so, turn to their comfort zones when life gets ugly.

Why is it we immediately turn to looking for blame, looking for how 'everyone else' is responding poorly? It's as though in our ultra fear and anger, we reach beyond the pain and suffering before us to somehow try and use the tragedy to our will. As though we see some opportunity to ward off or bring on our comfort zones and viewpoint through the crisis.

So I went searching for wisdom, and I found it in Og Mandino.

Og never fails me. His words about seeking triumph in the worst of times, with an overwhelming wall of anger and heartache touched just the cord I needed for my joyous perspective message. Not only could I send thoughts of comfort and peace to the thousands of victims in this senseless act, but I could also strive to be triumphant in facing much adversity around me. If I make my goal to be unified with those who sought to come together against the fear, confusion and quest for raw power this act perpetuated, then eventually, the seeds will sprout. They will grow into an excellent fruit bearing unity.

Together, we can become a garden of comfort, strength, and support for our shared goals of freedom, life, and the pursuit of happiness. We can focus our efforts on healing the wounded. We can become stronger and smile in the face of terror. 

But we have to decide to break through the barriers between us. 

Plant the seeds of unity today. 

Let's break some ground.

Cheers.