Over the past two weeks, I have been righteously angry. My anger is not directed at anything I will personally benefit from. This is for the team, our mandate, clients, and shareholders. While there have been several moments of light, the overall trend has been towards darkness. Yesterday that changed. Ironically, the change came in two conversations filled with passionate words and intense emotions. For a change, others were doing most of the talking.
As I listened to the echoes of my emotions embraced and spoken by others, I found myself embraced by a community. It was a group with shared purpose, a willingness to take on the collective challenges, and the courage speak for and with another. I know we hold many different views. It is in our diversity that I find our strength. I know we use different words to express our views. Their voice on my behalf leaves me with renewed energy. I hope that my voice leaves the same in return. I also know that the road ahead will continue to be difficult and dangerous. Relying on others is rarely natural.
I listened and I heard hope in action.
I also found myself moving into action. It is interesting to listen to old stories. When someone feels hope, they often muster courage to do the difficult. In one case, sailors finally took a break to eat together. “With the meal finished and everyone full, the ship was further lightened by dumping the grain overboard.” (Acts 27.37, 38) It was time to plan for success. In my case, metaphorically the same path emerged. I dumped what I thought was sustaining me and reached for the goal. Gone were the defenses. Dumped were the behaviors of isolation. A larger team is willing to be part of the solution. While there will be dissenters, it is possible for the core to reach beyond our limits.
Hope is often born in distress. It sustains our souls. Today hope came through the voices of another. Tomorrow your or my voice could be the one making the difference.
