“The only thing that is assured is that we are going to live in a world where we cannot escape each other.”
– Bill Clinton in a commencement speech at New York University, Abu Dhabi
A college baseball teammate would often remind someone who was yanking his chain that “you can run, but you can’t hide.”
It’s more true than ever today.
Every phone is a camera and every camera is a phone, it seems. Nothing stays private, whether it should or not.
Granted, Clinton was speaking globally in this speech, in terms of the “big we,” but the big we is made up of all the small we’s — and the point carries through for the difference maker.
It’s about mutual need. Interdependence. About cliches that aren’t cliche any more like “1 + 1 = 3” and the like.
Motivational speakers have said, “if it’s going to be, it’s up to me.” And, while difference makers do have to master their own thoughts and actions — today, if it’s going to be, it’s up to us.”
When there are problems, we cannot escape, we have to establish a stand. When there are decisions, we have to decide, not hide. When there are opportunities, we have to seize them. Together. For the greater good.
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