Ode to Us

 

This will be a story to share

Let it be a beautiful story

A story to long for

A story that tells itself

A story that also changes as it passes from ear to ear

Like playing telephone in our childhood

But whose true meaning remains

Above all, tell your own version

Because this is what we need

 

A story about gain, not loss

Not a story about what we are against

But about what we are for

Not a story about the life we ​​have to give up

But about the life we ​​want to lead

Not a story about what we are told we should be

But a story about who we are

 

A story that starts with you

For a better world that begins with us

This is a story for the future

 

It is a story in its infancy

Lost as we are

After almost 40 years of celebrating the victory

Of Western capitalism

Drunk on individual freedom

Without regard for the freedom of others

 

Lost as we are

In longing for prosperity, at the expense of the world

Which never wanted to trickle down enough,

To be distributed among us all

 

Lost as we are

In excusing our own guilt for those who missed their opportunities

Tough luck for everyone, even though there were never 18 million opportunities

Let alone 8 billion

 

Lost as we are

Swallowed up by the latest news

And the memes, opinions and media of the moment

You can consume so many daily stories that you become blind to the bigger story of reality

You can get so caught up in the daily hustle and bustle that you lose "the now"

 

But in its infancy, the great un-losing begins

With an honest look in the mirror

Who am I? And soon I realize, we are one

Being together, laughing together, crying together

Is richer than being alone

 

But when it comes to "we"

Why do I want everything so good for myself?

And when it comes to "we"

Why am I the measure of my own success?

And when it comes to "we"

Why do I so often choose myself?

 

Is it because we've come to believe the story of winners and losers?

Especially when we don't know the other person well

Strangers in the rest of the world

Don't do anything for me, do they?

They are not "us"

And I'm not going to pay for their success

 

How different it is closer to home

In my home, I don't want to win at the expense of my loved ones

I don't keep track of results for my friends

And what I give in time and money

Always pays off in attention and love with a high return

Not expressible in money

Not for sale in any store

And with only winners

A completely different story

In a different language

 

And if I benefit so much from someone else's success here

Why would that be any different with strangers?

 

What if we get to know strangers better?

Not through the horror stories in the daily news

And not through all those exceptions to the norm

But through genuine interest

In their everyday lives

The values ​​that guide them

And the bonds that connect them

And if we then realize that we don't live in our own unique paradise on earth

Full of loving family, friends, pub buddies, teammates, work colleagues and vague acquaintances

But that they too are surrounded by loving loved ones

And that apparently most people are good everywhere

What then?

 

A completely different story

Not about winning or losing

But about sharing and multiplying

 

A completely different story

Not about the survival of the fittest

But about the power of cooperation

 

A completely different story

Not a story of every man for himself

But of one for all, and all for one

 

A completely different story, in short

Not of conflict, war and betrayal

But of warmth, love and trust

 

For those who seek it, the proof lies in the past

For those who want it, the proof lies in the future

Happiness lies in living together

And you don't live together alone

 

My Christmas wish? May we all prosper! And spread the word!