A dream for our leaders

One of my favorite quotes is by Brene Brown. She says “You can choose courage or you can choose comfort, but you cannot choose both”.

It’s interesting that I write this now, in the wake of 2020 but on the cusp of a new world. For more than a year we watched our world turn on its head, our fortresses of comfort torn down exposing the cracks in our foundations. Many of us felt like minions, being pushed and pulled into unknown territories not knowing what decisions would impact us next. Some experienced devastating loss and wondered who to blame.

Through the confusion we had to make choices, we had to choose where we put our hope and if we had any hope at all. Some took the opportunity to reset their lives, to focus on what was most important to them. Others complained loudly or found their comfort in a bottle while they waited, praying for normal, that their current foundation would be restored to previous comfort. We often go to great lengths to protect our comforts, and become angry and bitter when they are challenged or taken away.

When the dust settled enough for us to see through the haze, we realized our current structures would no longer hold us up, and that we had to start over. The only way out… is through.

We’ve hit roadblocks and had to pull out the paper clip, the chewing gum, and the rubber band — and find another way. These are the leaders, the brave ones that brought us to the other side. Knowing through experience and optimism that nothing would be the same, but we would all be okay, eventually.

My dream speech starts here, more of a short poem. It’s what I dream of for current and future leaders. For each one of you, and for me too.

I dream that we will all take a step closer to that person or problem because it’s the only way to understand.

I dream that we will all lend a hand and share the burden because some of us are carrying a load that’s too heavy.

I dream that we will all stay curious and embrace the things that make us feel truly alive because that is where we find our purpose.

I dream that we will inspire each other to create more stories, to do more, see more, act more because that is the way we keep living.

I dream that we will encourage each other to speak up, take the leap of faith, and put that idea into the world because that is the way we make change.

And lastly, I dream that we will all have the courage to write our signature on this world, in the best and most beautiful script, because that is the way we leave our legacy.