By Coach Dale Brown
Teamwork is imperative to make a successful community, business, government, country or team. Martin Luther King described it clearly, “All people in this world are tied into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. We are made to live together and help each other.”
When we do come together and cooperate and put aside petty differences, the results are astounding. The United Nations estimates that poverty has been reduced more in the past 20 years than in the previous 500 years. If we react in unity we can solve almost any problem.
All things must be paid for; mutual exchange is the answer. You get because you give. There is no such thing as independence; it is a hallucination of the most foolish sort because we are all component parts of a greater whole. We are all dependent on one another for our very existence. We truly do have within us the capacity to overcome all challenges if we help each other. Unity involves a devotion and dedication to a cause which puts everyone closer together. An individual can make a difference but a team can make a miracle because they realize the best potential of ME is WE. Togetherness can conquer all forms of adversity. Dissension from within can crumble and has crumbled the greatest of empires. We should all take heed to Matthew 12.25, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation.”
If ever, this is a time in history when a total commitment is needed to make the world a better place. I am totally convinced that we are capable of solving any problem but it all depends on that total commitment, as well as determination and perseverance against all odds. Great social transformation such as the end of slavery, the womens and civil rights movements and the end of colonial rule began with public awareness and engagement. A few courageous and committed people brought about major changes.
Many civilizations have risen to a dominant position in world history. Some rose quickly, some rose slowly but, without exception, they fell after they quit working together. When Alexis de Tocqueville, the great French philosopher, came to America in the 19th century, he was looking for a clue to what made America great. After many months of extensive travel he said, “I realized America was great because she was good and when America ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.”
As a unified team we can rely on our faith in every aspect of our lives. I know nothing is more powerful than the boldness of FAITH, and life without faith is unbearable. Following the 10 Commandments would be a good place to start. President Dwight D Eisenhower said, “A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.” Society has gotten to a point where far too many think they have a right but not a responsibility.
The person who wants to do something to make the world a better place to live finds a way; others find an excuse. In the chaos all over the world, people can be divided into 3 groups. Those who make things happen and bring about change, those who watch things happen but do nothing to improve the situation, and finally those who wonder what the heck happened. Which group do you belong to? Life has no remote control, you have to get up and change it yourself!