Embracing Life
We Need Each Other
We need each other. We must understand our differences. We are one. My earliest memory of an individual accepting my weakness and helping me identify a potential personal strength occurred in an eighth grade chorus class at Riviera Junior High in Miami. As much as I enjoy listening to tunes, I have never been able to sing a song on key. My plans were to avoid any course that involved making music. An arbitrary placement in chorus (because of school overcrowding) was not a mistake, although it appeared to be at the time.
Mr. J recognized my musical incompetence the first time I stepped up to his piano to sing. His goal was to determine if I would be performing in alto or soprano. Honestly, my voice did not match any musical scale. Neither of us could facilitate my transfer to another elective subject. However, remaining in his class made a significant impact on my life.
The next day he asked if I would accept the assignment of taking class attendance. From there, I began grading written tests, recording scores in his grade book and keeping his desk and office organized. Since I was an extremely shy student, he trusted my confidentiality. I pretended to perform in concerts, but we both knew I lip-synced.
This man was an extraordinary educator. He helped me discover a non-musical talent, without ever mentioning my handicap. In fact, my career may have had its humble beginnings from Mr. J's chorus class. Today I am an executive assistant and take great pride in my professional role.
For many decades I have assisted executives in public and private organizations and had the pleasure of working with a wide array of individuals with different management styles. The most successful managers were those who realized that no one is good at everything. They recognized employees' strengths and assembled a cooperative team with players who understood their collaborative success is contingent upon the group's effort.
Peter Drucker, regarded by many as the father of contemporary business philosophies, wrote in "The Practice of Management," published in 1955, "The task of an executive is not to change human beings. Rather as the Bible tells us in the parable of the talents, the task is to multiply the performance capacity of the whole by putting to use whatever strength, whatever health, whatever aspiration there is in individuals."
Administration is not an easy responsibility. Conscientiousness leaders strive to meet business goals while enhancing the lives of their employees. I admire their service.
Educators, employees and executives can all learn about unity from the splendid example God gave us in the giant majestic redwood trees in California. They are always in clusters or groups called groves. Most of the trees have burn and char scars, blemishes representing difficulties from their past. Yet, they still grow and remain full of life, which makes their handicaps seem unimportant.
The might of the tree is not in itself. Its strength is in its root system. For every foot in height it grows up, the redwood tree sends its roots out (not down) three times that distance. If the tree is 300 feet tall, its roots extend 900 feet. The redwood's roots intertwine with all the other roots in the group. The tightly woven grove provides such strength; there is no way a single tree can fall.
Like the grand redwoods, we need each other to stand tall and fulfill our purpose on the planet. It is clear that we are all different. I believe God planned it that way. When we learn to honor and encourage our neighbor's strengths and surrender to our own weaknesses, we will become a united world.
I will never sing in the church choir or play in a band, yet I respect and admire musicians. It is horrifying to imagine life without their talent. Tunes transcend our emotions, add excitement, provide patriotic inspiration and stimulate spiritual awareness. What a tremendous gift!
Leonardo Da Vinci said, "An arch consists of two weaknesses, which leaning against one another make a strength."
I propose we learn to support each other to attain the highest good for all and embrace life! §
Donna Bonnell is a freelance writer who moved to Newberry in 1983. She enjoys living and working in the town she now calls home. Donna@towerpublications.com
