The Unparalleled Utility of Unity
When spiders unite, they can tie down a lion. ~Unknown
We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools. ~ Martin Luther King Jr.
Unity is not equal to being, but is the unifying principle of being. ~ Marsilio Ficino
In going through past talks to create videos and shorts for my YouTube channel recently, I came across this story from exactly two years ago (on July 19, 2022) that I shared in response to an attendee wondering about what her purpose might be. While out for a walk earlier that day, I noticed a young man who had an incredible tattoo of a lighthouse on his calf that caught my eye (you can see it at the end of the clip or above) and sparked a conversation. It was a deeply meaningful exchange about the importance of him being the calm in the storm, the guiding force — the light in the dark — in his world and sphere of influence.
If you are reading this and interested in my work, chances are that symbolism describes you as well.
In case you haven’t noticed, a lot has been happening in our country lately with a little thing called an election and all the sensational events surrounding it, the volume of which will only increase as we get closer to November. We don’t need Barnum & Bailey to come to town when we can turn on our TVs or look at social media to see the circus run amok.
If you think about the body politic as a metaphor for your own life and body, we are all affecting one another, with the goal of homeostasis that fosters growth and healing. This requires periods of rest and activity, inner peace along with some challenge and struggle (i.e., no pain, no gain).
But sometimes situations have to get so bad it’s undeniable that a bigger, wider, deeper change needs to be made. As I said in this article years ago, and in this essay, sometimes we must have a breakdown before we can have a breakthrough. Because in the process of transformation, the caterpillar doesn’t go straight from a squishy crawler to a beautiful butterfly. There is a cycle of disintegration and uncertainty to get from one form to the other. It’s no fun being in the goop stage, but knowing that you’re in it can be helpful and provide a grounding, reassuring perspective.
What I tell myself, and anyone who asks my opinion, about the current political climate is: Don’t get sucked into the hype or manipulation on either side, and remember that divide-and-conquer is the oldest trick in the book.
Because regardless of how you label yourself or anyone else, we are all part of the same stuff underneath and affect one another in the quantum soup of life. (See this or this expert expand on that concept.) We cannot fundamentally separate from each other no matter how hard we try. It’s like saying your right hand is separate from your left knee is separate from your nose. Different sure, but all connected and serving the consciousness that is your unique expression of the whole of the Universe, which is also connected to every other unique expression.
No one is 100 percent right or perfect or has all the answers. Variety is the spice of life, and like the tagline of The Women’s Mosaic, the organization I founded back in 2001, we are strongest when we are “Recognizing Our Unity; Celebrating Our Diversity” regardless of the nature of that diversity. (This was way before DEI, etc., was a thing.) We can all grow and learn from each other. We all have ideas and strengths to bring to the table. Be curious, and if there is no reciprocity for a reasonable dialogue, then move on without judgment. Everyone is on their own path and entitled to their own journey.
When WE THE PEOPLE remember that we have the power and control over our own lives and use that for our good — and not harm others — then we will feel more empowered to be the authority in our lives. We must start by learning how to discern and think for ourselves without the myriad distractions, propaganda and “mental garbage” (as I mention in this video) that influence us in ways we probably aren’t even aware of.
Which means you need to take care of your side of the figurative and literal street by doing whatever you can to make your life — inner and outer — the most aligned, prosperous, harmonious, peaceful, integrated and unified it can be. Because, as I mentioned in this clip and many others from the same talk, we are the leaders we have been waiting for.
So whatever situation you find yourself in the coming days, months, years, commit to being that person, that lighthouse.
That person who doesn’t negatively engage when someone else is triggered or scared. That person who won’t get involved in pointless arguments that demean or shame. That person who has compassion for someone who has lost hold of their mind due to mental illness, addiction or other forms of dis-ease. That person who remains centered and balanced in their perspective and provides a safe harbor for those who aren’t.
Train yourself and practice being the one who defuses a situation or stands up when necessary for yourself or those who cannot do so for themselves. This begins with a simple observation of your current behavior: How might you be dividing and conquering in your own life? Where are you engaging in an unproductive or even harmful way?
(Originally published as a PGG newsletter on July 19, 2024)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Looking for one-on-one help? I can identify your patterns and provide unique perspectives to find your current “why,” so you can live with more purpose, joy and peace. Book a coaching session with me via my website, with current options.
Need a tool to create a positive mindset through any challenges at work or in life? It was so thrilling to find out how a client uses my book Say It To Make It: Affirmations to Empower Your Heart, Mind, Spirit and Soul. He let me video him talking about it, which you can watch here, and you can purchase your copy here :)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Kristina Leonardi is a nationally recognized career and life coach, speaker and author who for over 16 years has empowered individuals to make lasting professional and personal changes aligned with their true passions and talents while fulfilling their role in the world at large.
With a holistic and personal growth-oriented approach, she has helped hundreds of men and women improve their job performance, enter or re-enter the job force, change careers, better manage their time and stress, and live happier, more meaningful, balanced lives.
Her specialty is working with people who feel stuck or are in transition and can help you clarify exactly what you want to do, identify blocks, issues, and patterns in your way, and offer proven ideas, resources, and action steps to get you there.
CLICK HERE FOR KRISTINA’S LINKTREE
Get essays like this delivered to your mailbox as my PGG newsletter
Click here for info about Kristina’s coaching and speaking services
Follow on Facebook and Instagram and Twitter for up to date posts, helpful articles and inspirational thoughts. Slowly building my YouTube channel so you check that out and subscribe too!
Check out my books Personal Growth Gab:Personal Growth Gab (PGG) Volume One: Thought-provoking, inspirational and entertaining essays to keep you connected to yourself and make sense of this journey called Life and Say It To Make It: Affirmations to Empower the Heart, Mind, Spirit and Soul both available on Amazon.
If you like what I write, you’ll love what I have to say in person!
Click here for info about my coaching and speaking services
Click here for some testimonials from past clients
Click here for a video that explains some ways in which I can help you
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Read over 100-star “Yelp” style reviews here
Read more about me and my work in these past PGG’s:
15 Candles |All Roads, Same Place | And Now, A Word from Our Sponsor | Strong Medicine | 10,000 Hours | A Decade of Doing What I Do | Express Yourself
