It may not be today’s headline news, but recalling the second national No King’s Day, a mere nine days ago, we experienced (both directly and indirectly) what it’s like to feel reinvigorated, and, again, with hope. People everywhere stood, sat, spoke, sang, protested, dressed up, and made themselves known, seen, and heard. It was an incredible outpouring of citizen strength at its finest and most peaceful.
Of course, the “spin” we hear and see from the “other side of the divide” is of course premeditated, and has attempted at every moment and in every way to deflect the overall marvelousness of “We, The People.” This energy is building towards something quite palpable and powerful. Counter-attacks notwithstanding, there is a burgeoning movement afoot here and it is exciting. We are in it to build something to make a difference — now, later, maybe longer.
One of the aspects I appreciate most about this movement is that it is proceeding across all walks of life — an amazing diversity of individuals forming a peaceful collective. This is precisely what the other side most seems to detest — focusing on DEI, hands and hearts made stronger, and the art of peaceful and unrelenting expression of a future that honors truly and deeply American and human/humane values. When there’s room and space for everyone, that makes for a stronger and safer world. All aboard!
What is most sacrosanct about this is the essence of humanity coming forth. People’s collective, indeed universal, need for affordable housing and health care, jobs, meaning in their lives, an abiding sense of connectedness, healthy food and air and a livable environment, respect, honesty, and integrity are of the utmost importance. All was on intensive and extensive display throughout both No King’s Days, and that is now in place to be built upon. This all has served as a major rebuff and contradiction to all that we have been fed in every news cycle over the past year in particular. We must continue to build well and carry on making “good trouble.”
Of course, when we are in a building phase in our lives and our world, we build not only to expand and include, but to use our personal and collective resources and assets carefully and thoroughly. It is not only about growth, but also about a thoughtful culling of our assets, our relationships, and our environmental stewardship, knowledge, and wisdom. This matters regardless as to whether we are building our community, our career, our family, our nation, or our bodies.
At the same time, there are considerations and precautions we must bring to bear on how we build whatever entity or endeavor matters most to us. Being impulsive and at the same time obfuscating cannot work. On the contrary, it is high time for ears and shoulders to open and to ask necessary, caring, and curious questions of others, particularly those with whom we’ve not always or often sided with. That’s difficult, and of course it slows things down while potentially bringing others in.
But slow and steady matter, as making big changes while building means living with transition, even possibly transformation. It’s easier to oppose building something new or renewed than to engage in the healthy discourse of the how, what, when, and why. To build or rebuild is to instruct as well as to construct. And in so doing, sometimes we must deconstruct to make something better.
We’re not focusing merely on community, and national, (re)building here. Throughout our lives, we construct other things — our education, careers, families, homes, relationships, and personal priorities. Each has its own trajectory, challenges, and “shelf life.” None flow as smoothly and effortlessly as we hope or want. All need careful attention and intention, and plenty of trouble-shooting and problem-solving. We are able to achieve less on our own than we are with the guidance and (loving) support of others.
Hard as it is, building whatever is in our hearts and on our minds is a function of our humanity— and our sense of hopefulness. We must be able to envision the bigger picture, broken as it may be (and it is) in the present. And then, we must engage with it. That is about taking ongoing, and sometimes repetitive action, all to make the differences we need for the change(s) to go into effect.
Building begins with hope, then flows through our ideas, problem-solving, attitudes, and activity. There is a flow to all of this, but it is not smooth and not always even steady. Hope is what holds it all together. When there are the inevitable breakdowns, or break-ups, we must continue to hold the beliefs that got us moving forward in the first place. When we have doubts and fears — and we all do — it is time to ask more questions, build stronger relationships, listen deeply, and repeat.
We are challenged like never before. No King’s Day(s) will lead to more and better things that help us to build and rebuild all the necessary changes we need to infuse our world with greater kindness, caring, receptivity, and respect. It’s been done before. And we have an incredible opportunity now to see this through, whether in Greenfield, Northampton, Athol, Franklin and Hampshire Counties, western Massachusetts, the commonwealth, the USA, and our world. It’s already begun; let’s continue to build the path and make an ever-bigger difference. It’s the fight of our lifetimes, and it’s a fight worth fighting!
Daniel Cantor Yalowitz writes a regular column in the Recorder. A developmental and intercultural psychologist, he has facilitated change in many organizations and communities around the world. His two most recent books are “Journeying with Your Archetypes” and “Reflections on the Nature of Friendship.” Reach out to him at danielcyalowitz@gmail.com.