“Insanity: “doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.” ~ Albert Einstein
Don’t be insane.
A basic, foundational principle for every couple trying to recover from the brink of divorce is: If your partner is leaving you because of your actions, don’t keep doing the actions they are upset about. For example, if your wife is on the verge of leaving you because of your anger and bullying, then the last thing you want to do to get her to stay is to blow up and bully her.
This basic principle is not rocket science. Sadly though, it seems as though many leaders across our country are strangely unaware of this basic relational move.
Our country is in the midst of a revolution triggered by the murder of another black man, George Floyd, by yet another group of police. People are tired of the bullying, disdain, and far too frequent disregard for our black citizens. Keeping the foundational relationship principle above in mind, it stands to reason that if our nation’s leaders cared about these relationships, they would work hard to not respond with the same bullying and disregard for its people that has led to the people’s upset.
Remember Einstein’s definition of insanity? When what you’re doing isn’t working, change your moves. Don’t be insane.
And yet, the leader of the nation in turmoil encouraged the state and local governments to “use the National Guard to ‘dominate the streets’”; they doubled down with more aggression, violence, and bullying. Many police forces became more violent. Our nation’s leader began to throw out threats, verbal attacks, and violent rallying cries. Far too many “leaders” attempted to bully their way through the people’s anger, sadness, and fear and expected to get different results. As Albert Einstein would say: insanity.
Regardless of whether we’re talking about problems in your marriage, job, nation, or world, never try to solve a problem with the same actions that created the problem. Ever.
The issues that are destroying our nation are the same ones often destroying our relationships and businesses. Issues of power, aggression, entitlement, and supremacy harm our homes, businesses, communities, nation, and world. Until those who hold the power in these places learn to stop wielding it over others, there will continue to be struggles, divorce, outrage, and war.
Challenge: As our nation struggles to find its footing again, pay attention to how you and those around you wield power. Recognize that flexing your “muscles” via violence, rage, and aggression is not power; it is bullying. The truly powerful are not threatened by the rising of others; in fact, they welcome, inspire, and insure it. #BlackLivesMatter