What A Wonderful World It Would Be.

It has been difficult to write a blog this week. To be honest, I am distracted and can’t seem to get inspired to focus on a topic. That stupid voice of ‘you should sit down and write your blog’ is nattering around in my mind. I get antsy when I hear the ‘should voice’. I am continuously working on being authentic to myself and not responding out of ‘should’ so when I hear the voice it makes me resist the activity even more.

But I am also pulled to write and generally enjoy creating these entries, so I have been reflecting and trying to find the source of tension. As usual, the answer is right here in front of me – I just had to stop looking. The reason for my distraction is what I should be writing about. 

I am a bit uncomfortable putting this out there – but I am nervous. This week I am hosting a zoom call. The subject matter is important, and the group of panelists that are gathering are a diverse group of experts in their fields with unique life experiences. The participants are an unknown as the call is open to anyone who chooses to gather and learn with us. 

Nervous might not be the right word. I am conscious of the weight of this responsibility. And this weight feels appropriate, because I want to live up to the honour of being asked to host this call.

The topic of the call is, Navigating Marketing & Social Causes as a Small Business Owner and is organized by KEDCO – Kingston Economic Development Corporation for those of you reading this who are not local. It is the intention of the call to create a safe place for small business owners to receive practical tips on how to successfully navigate through unusual times and social causes and develop their marketing voice and position within their business.

As the stresses of the pandemic continue such as physical distancing, face masks, and the economic impact, we are also seeing increasingly heightened tension in topics such as Black Lives Matter, #MeToo, LGBTQ2S+, and the concerns of Indigenous Peoples. Even historical monuments have come to represent political issues. 

Business group calls with these types of conversations are new, but in this climate of uncertainty, there is an increasing need for small business owners to be informed and confident as they market on social media channels. Even as I hold space for this call, I believe the gift of what I will learn will be greater than the service I provide. I am sure a future blog will dive deeper into this learning.

Today, I want to reflect further on the reason that I feel such weight. Part of that weight is the awe of possibility. I feel that we are at a time where true change can take place in the world. As we see increased polarization there is an increased opportunity to bring people together.

As we experience less tolerance and less listening there is an increased opportunity to truly listen, to understand, to create more tolerance. An increased opportunity to come together with open hearts, open ears and strong voices. I feel the world shifting. 

Hosting this call is an opportunity to take an exceedingly small step by creating a safe place for people to come together to learn, with a heartfelt desire to embrace our differences and live in a peaceful, tolerant world. This is where another part of the weight lies – in my desire to create this safe, tolerant space. I am very aware of the role I will play in guiding, moving, and even mediating these conversations. It is an opportunity I am immensely grateful for and take very seriously. 

But anticipation also plays a role. I know that when I let myself step back and watch the true purpose of this conversation flow, that is when change will happen – those connections, those a-ha moments, those tears of empathy. I know deep in my soul that regardless of an individual’s current understanding and position on an issue, we can learn how to communicate and be tolerant of differences and yet thrive as small business owners, a community, a country, and a world. 

That is what I anticipate, what I believe is possible, and what I am honoured to be a part of. That is where my focus is. 

What a wonderful world it would be.