The word
elevate is a simple, but a powerful and an extraordinary word in the context of social consciousness. This word has the weighty
requirement of action at its core. Elevating is all about lifting, raising, enhancing
and advancing.
Several
months ago, while having coffee with a dear friend I became aware of how
committed she was to living her life in way that elevated all those she came in
contact with. As I listened to her
stories I became acutely aware of how each time she helped a single mother, facilitated
opportunities for a poor family or used her networking skills to connect the
right person to the right job that her face lit up with the memory of their
breakthroughs and successes as if their achievements were her achievements.
It was a
profound experience to observe someone who understood her place in the world where
she was not in competition with, or threatened by anyone. She had incredible insight
into what “doing life” with others was about. She had tapped into a life
principle that when you make something good happen for others, you do “good” to
yourself and when you elevate/raise/advance others you inadvertently elevate
yourself.
This got me
thinking about the state of our communities and why there seems to be so much
chaos and heartbreak in our relationships as a result of us viewing each other
as competitors rather than co-labourers in the vineyard of life. The growing aggression,
hostility and lack of kindness in our world propagates a frenzied way of living
where our focus on ourselves is all consuming. This way of living leads to self-absorption.
Self-absorption is closely followed by selfishness, and with selfishness comes
the need to self-elevate. When self-elevation occurs inadvertently someone is
depreciated and the end result is hurt, distrust and ultimately relational alienation
which has significant social and communal impact.
Make a
choice as you go into your week to use your influence to connect and elevate
others. Be conscious about living your life in a way where you raise the
quality of life for those around you. After all, as a society we are only as
strong as the weakest among us. If you
are tired of seeing weak people around you then clearly your passive judgement
of them has not been affecting change. If it is in your power to do good, do
it. Make that call that connects someone to that job, that opportunity that
relationship. Help others find their spot and get into position. Who knows, we
may start a social trend that by esteeming others we produce the “hot air
affect” where we all rise out of our lack and together we will achieve a richer and more meaningful life.
