Can We All Be One?

We’ve turned one.
And we can’t help asking if we can all BE ONE?
Surely it’s possible.

Can we be loud about the things that matter?
Can we just say it so that one day, a hundred years from now, no one has to wonder where in history we lost our voice?

And even while we’ve said it all, we’ve tried to not simply have an opinion.
Opinions that require no accountability, no understanding, no empathy.
Knowledge is almost nothing without empathy.
Sharing it is vain without empathy.
It requires us to suspend our egos and live in another’s world.
You can’t SHOUT! without that profound purpose.
You can’t be ONE without empathy.
You can’t be one amongst many.
You can’t be one with all.

SHOUT! was born a year ago to make us all come alive.
Being a child is special.
Just for that reason, we want to make this about our children.
About being just like them – true, bold and impossibly optimistic.
We have a duty to perform towards these soon-to-be guardians of empathy.

Of helping them become more like themselves instead of more like everyone else.
Of not going berserk when they break our favourite vase. Because everything that’s broken can be fixed.
Of embracing them each morning to put them back together or shoot them into their next enchanting adventure.
Of handling ourselves with grace and restraint in a complex situation.
Of sitting and talking with them.
Of really looking at what they show us.
Of taking an interest in what they say.

Now, wait a minute, wouldn’t we all like that?
To have a voice that heals; that speaks for us; that draws strength on rough days; that takes us on a journey; that makes memories of experiences.
To have an ear that listens.
Because when you look within, you’re a kid inside.
You’re ONE.
And we are all ONE.
For everything that matters.
It’s the only way to be.
It’s the only way to SHOUT!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

DISCLAIMER: The content on this website is merely an opinion and not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, organisation, company or individual. Nothing contained herein shall to any extent substitute for the independent investigations and sound judgment of the reader. While we have made every attempt to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the content contained herein, no warranty or guarantee, express or implied, is given with respect to the same. The SHOUT! Network is neither liable nor responsible to any person or entity for any errors or omissions, or for any offense caused from such content.
In addition to the above, thoughts and opinions change from time to time… we consider this a necessary consequence of having an open mind. This website is intended to provide a semi-permanent point in time snapshot and manifestation of the various topics running around our brains, and as such any thoughts and opinions expressed within out-of-date posts may not be the same, or even similar, to those we may hold today.
Feel free to challenge us, disagree with us, or tell us we’re completely nuts in the comments section of each piece. The SHOUT! Network reserves the right to delete any comment for any reason whatsoever (abusive, profane, rude, or anonymous comments) – but do SHOUT! with us, if you will.