Find Joy in Unity
- Kristin Keough Williams
- Jul 3
- 4 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
How to Find Harmony Amongst the Discord
As we look at the state of our country and the world today, it can be easy to feel the weight of division and conflict. The constant current of disagreement can be exhausting and overwhelming, which is why I felt compelled to write about something we may need more of: Unity.
With the Fourth of July upon us, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on this theme. After all, this holiday commemorates the moment when disparate colonies chose to unite under a single, revolutionary idea: that we are stronger together.
Why Unity Creates Better Results
Yes, we are all different. No one person is just like the other. Because of our differences however we have evolved. We bring different strengths to the table and when we have worked together, we have achieved great things. Working in harmony isn't just for musicians; it’s a principle that leads to success in almost everything we do. When we work in unison, the results are powerful. When we don't, the system can break down. Think about it:
In Music: A choir blending voices in the same key creates beautiful music. If everyone sings their own song, the result is just a chaotic noise.
In Sports: A championship team wins by moving as one unit, anticipating each other's plays and working towards a shared goal, not by individuals playing for themselves. How many championships have been lost because one person hogged the ball.
In Action: The Blue Angels perform breathtaking maneuvers inches apart, a feat only possible through absolute trust and synchronized effort. Just one break in formation can lead to disastrous life threatening results.
In the Kitchen: A bustling kitchen serves delicious meals because chefs, cooks, and servers coordinate their actions seamlessly. If the timing is off, you might get your food served cold.
In the Workplace: A major project launch relies on a team, engineers, marketers, and designers, combining their unique skills. Without meetings, check-ins, and teamwork, the projects might never get done.
In Daily Life: Even driving works because we agree on shared rules, like following traffic signals and staying on the correct side of the road.
Choosing Your Path: Division vs. Understanding
In a world full of diverse values and opinions, we face a daily choice in how we interact with others.
The Path of Division: Focusing on what separates us leads to feelings of anger, frustration, and isolation. This negativity drains our energy and turns potential allies into adversaries.
The Path of Understanding: Approaching others with compassion and a desire to understand doesn't mean abandoning your principles. It means recognizing our shared humanity. This choice feels liberating and opens the door to connection, collaboration, and progress, allowing us to be part of a beautiful symphony.
How to Find Unity This Fourth of July
Let's make a conscious choice to seek harmony tomorrow. Celebrate not just our independence, but our interdependence. Our strength has always come from finding common ground.
Shift Your Mindset: Focus on what connects us rather than what divides us. We are all human, which means we all experience laughter, fun, hardship, and frustration. Plus I think we can all agree that baby animals are pretty cute.
Practice Compassion: Acknowledge the humanity in others, even when you disagree. We all suffer, and have our less than perfect moments.
Hit Pause on Politics: Agree to put differences aside, even if just for the day. Others that disagree with you are not stupid or horrible, rather they have just had different life experiences than you.
Share an Experience: Connect over the simple traditions, share a hot dog, raise a glass, and watch the fireworks together.
Find a Shared Symbol: Let the fireworks remind you that many different, brilliant bursts of light can come together to create one spectacular and beautiful display.
Watch Collaboration In Action: Just in time for the holiday, check out Amazon Prime's new action comedy movie, Heads of State, which showcases people learning to work together despite their differences. It touches on many themes of this blog, and it's also pretty entertaining.
So, as the fireworks paint the night sky, we indulge in American fare, and wear our reds, whites, and blues, let's put aside our differences, even if just for a day. Share a hot dog, raise a glass, and enjoy the show together. Let the explosions of different colors remind us that, like those brilliant bursts of light, we are all part of the same spectacular display. Let us unite in our shared American identity and find joy in celebrating as one.
Happy Independence Day!
Want an audio summary of the blog? Check out this generated podcast below.
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