The United States has been in the business of selling hope to the world since 1776. It is the hope of a better life, a better country, a better community and a better person that has enabled the U.S. to attract the ambitious, the knowledgeable, the creative, the downtrodden, the generous, the forthright, the curious, the liberal, the conservative, the atheist, the agnostic, the gnostic, the revolutionary and the orthodox of all races, creeds, genders, backgrounds and experiences. It is in this spirit of hope that we choose our leaders, raise our children, build cities, educate our minds, choose our life's work, forge our relationships, establish new businesses and contemplate new horizons.
In times of political, social or economic crisis, the U.S. must do what it has always done best - sell hope for a better tomorrow - for everyone.
After reading a blog from Nissim Dahan, "How Do You Sell Hope ?", he notes three principles: The Golden Mean, The Golden Rule, and The Greatest Good that all point toward the idea of selling a vision of hope:
- The Golden Mean tells us to moderate our views, and to think with common sense. Common sense will be our Ideology.
- The Golden Rule tells us to treat each other well, by Investing in one another.
- The Greatest Good tells us to maximize justice by organizing ourselves around a Vision of Hope.
Ask yourself, "How do I deliver a vision of hope?" Whether it be at your job, school, home...with family, friends, co-workers or in quiet moments of contemplation. If everyone found small ways in their every day interactions to inspire others and provide mini visions of hope, think how much further our society and world would be in providing others opportunities to empower and better their own lives or situations.
Let's not forget: Delivering the message and the work of actualizing a vision are two completely different endeavors...but, you can't build a dream if your initial plans don't convince, engage or inspire others.
