Be the change you want to see

Turn down the volume: Don’t let a vocal minority overshadow the good in our communities

We all know the mantra: Be the change you want to see in the world. In the last two years, given the toxic political climate, the equally toxic social media landscape, a lingering pandemic and now an escalating conflict, it’s been quite difficult to face every day with a positive outlook and hope for the future.

Take a trip down Twitter Lane or turn on cable news and it certainly seems like the world’s gone mad. It only serves to foment internal bitterness and negativity toward everything. 

But we need to remember social media and cable news are truly the world’s vocal minority.

Consider these reassuring points:

• 75% of people in the U.S. never tweet.
• On an average weeknight in January, just 1% of U.S. adults watched prime-time Fox News, while only 0.5% tuned into MSNBC.
• Nearly three times more Americans donated to charities during the pandemic than typically give money to politicians and parties.

That news gave me the power to shake off my miasma of misery and turn it into energy to work for a positive change in my community.

I didn’t have to look far outside my own life, either. For the last three years, I have supported my very good friend who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of lymphoma. The journey has included brutal treatments and a shortened life expectancy, and most of the time I have felt helpless.

Then came a chance to really do some good. I was nominated for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Man & Woman of the Year fundraising campaign. LLS’ mission is to find cures for blood cancers including leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and myelodysplastic syndrome and help children and families navigate treatment as they battle those diseases. With its nearly $1.3 billion investment, LLS is the largest funder of cutting-edge research in immunotherapy, genomics and personalized medicine to advance cures.

We have 10 weeks to raise as much as we can in this philanthropic competition that can help save lives. I’ve been buoyed by the strength and determination of patients and by the very positive new relationships I’ve built by stepping out into the community.

I encourage everyone to walk away from the social media naysayers and get involved in your community. This particular challenge is definitely out of my comfort zone, but most definitely close to my heart, and it is an invigoratingly positive experience. Indeed, a perfect way to be the change we want to see.