Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Real Change

On the morning after a historic election where the core message was change, what are we as Americans prepared to do to really change? Regardless of which candidate you supported the message is loud and clear. Change is needed. Change is wanted. Change is the only way that we can see ourselves through the difficult economic and world problems the lie ahead.

Forget politics for a moment and focus on where we all need to go. The word change is more than just a campaign strategy or a convenient uniting chant. No, the word change signifies that in order to get a different result we must collectively be committed to doing things differently. That is true for our elected officials, for the organizations we work for, or run, as well as for you and I and we how interact and connect with one another. Change can really only happen when two or more people come together to focus on achieving a different result.

So the question becomes, what does change really mean?

In my humble opinion it means that the decisiveness of today's political climate is over and today a new path forward must be paved. It means that we must stop fighting and start listening. It means that collectively we begin working towards something better than we have today and that we do it together.

The time to connect with others is never more important than it will be in the days, months and years ahead. Connection with others is the only way real change, social, political, economic or otherwise can be brought about. Having real conversations with real people and insuring that we are all working to help and support one another. Imagine the Ripple Effect of that!

So today I announce my candidacy for real change. The office I seek is not one that requires you to vote at the ballot box or side with a particular political party of influence. The office I seek is the one that encompasses all people, includes all voices and shows just what can happen when our society comes together to really connect, really unite and really change.

As Chief Rippler I will show everyone through my actions, words and deeds just how powerful the Ripples of connection can be and that by coming together there is no problem too big or too small which can't and won't be solved or defeated.

Will you join me?

Ripple On!!!

8 comments:

Arlin K. Pauler said...

Steve:
I already have.
It seems to me you and I have been committed to the cause of making a difference through real Human connection from long before our first connection - conversation.
Your friend and a fellow Rippler, Arlin

Anonymous said...

My dear friend, I am 100% agree with you. As you know, I just became a United States citizen.For me as a first time voter, was so amazing to see how people came together to change something. last night, I saw the history in front of my eyes.For this election I really saw the power of ripple.Everywhere that I went, Everybody were saying that we need change regardless of who will be our next president.

God Bless America

Artie Gold said...

The biggest, most powerful word you used in this posting is actually a rather small one -- at least in terms of number of letters.

The word is: WE

"We" is a contract. "We" means that sometimes you sacrifice for someone else, sometimes you benefit from someone else's sacrifice. "We" recognizes the fact that going it alone is not an option in an interconnected world.

The last years have seen a terrible denigration of "We" -- and hopefully that will stop.

In today's world, "We" have no choice.

PRahman said...

"We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
~ The Constitution of the United States of America


Now we can being to truly do the work - the labor of love to be carried out by a vibrant and diverse nation's worth of people - to bring this promise to fruition.


Prince

Steve Harper said...

Arlin,

I couldn't agree more! We are due for a phone chat. Let's get that on the calendar soon okay?

S

Steve Harper said...

Rami,

Congratulations on your first vote as an American citizen. I am so proud for you!

We are overdue to catch up. Coffee soon?

Ripple On My Friend!!!

Steve Harper said...

Artie,

WE - you are so spot on my friend. As always!!!

Ripple On!!!

Steve Harper said...

Prince,

Outstanding reminder. Thanks for reading and contributing my friend.

Ripple On!!!