when I was a freshman in high school I had just transferred to a new huge sort
had just transferred to a new huge sort
had just transferred to a new huge sort of impersonal high school where I didn’t
of impersonal high school where I didn’t
of impersonal high school where I didn’t know anyone and I suffered trepidations
know anyone and I suffered trepidations
know anyone and I suffered trepidations and fear like any new student I wasn’t
and fear like any new student I wasn’t
and fear like any new student I wasn’t really sure how or where I was going to
really sure how or where I was going to
really sure how or where I was going to fit in my first week my freshman English
fit in my first week my freshman English
fit in my first week my freshman English teacher announced that we would be
teacher announced that we would be
teacher announced that we would be required to give a short introductory
required to give a short introductory
required to give a short introductory speech to the class as part of our
speech to the class as part of our
speech to the class as part of our public speaking unit and since I had
public speaking unit and since I had
public speaking unit and since I had spoken all of about ten words that
spoken all of about ten words that
spoken all of about ten words that entire first week in school I thought
entire first week in school I thought
entire first week in school I thought this was a really great assignment and I
this was a really great assignment and I
this was a really great assignment and I wanted to choose a topic kind of offbeat
wanted to choose a topic kind of offbeat
wanted to choose a topic kind of offbeat to help my fellow classmates sort of get
to help my fellow classmates sort of get
to help my fellow classmates sort of get comfortable with me so the speech topic
comfortable with me so the speech topic
comfortable with me so the speech topic was the history of the handshake and I
was the history of the handshake and I
was the history of the handshake and I started off by well I’ll show you really
started off by well I’ll show you really
started off by well I’ll show you really quick hi I’m Serena nice to meet you
quick hi I’m Serena nice to meet you
quick hi I’m Serena nice to meet you hi I’m Serena good to meet you hi I’m
hi I’m Serena good to meet you hi I’m
hi I’m Serena good to meet you hi I’m sure you know great to meet you
sure you know great to meet you
sure you know great to meet you so did I get everyone’s attention well
so did I get everyone’s attention well
so did I get everyone’s attention well good because I got their attention as
good because I got their attention as
good because I got their attention as well and I held their attention for the
well and I held their attention for the
well and I held their attention for the next few minutes while I discussed why
next few minutes while I discussed why
next few minutes while I discussed why this was such an important form of
this was such an important form of
this was such an important form of communication throughout history by the
communication throughout history by the
communication throughout history by the end of the day around 8th period
end of the day around 8th period
end of the day around 8th period geometry I had gotten something of a
geometry I had gotten something of a
geometry I had gotten something of a reputation already I had a lot of
reputation already I had a lot of
reputation already I had a lot of students who didn’t know me come up to
students who didn’t know me come up to
students who didn’t know me come up to me and ask hey aren’t you that he’s that
me and ask hey aren’t you that he’s that
me and ask hey aren’t you that he’s that girl that gave that talk about the
girl that gave that talk about the
girl that gave that talk about the handshake I heard about you that’s so
handshake I heard about you that’s so
handshake I heard about you that’s so cool that’s so cool
cool that’s so cool
cool that’s so cool I mean it’s every new students dream to
I mean it’s every new students dream to
I mean it’s every new students dream to hear these words spoken back to them I’d
hear these words spoken back to them I’d
hear these words spoken back to them I’d done something really basic I’d done
done something really basic I’d done
done something really basic I’d done something you probably would never read
something you probably would never read
something you probably would never read about in the headlines but it had had an
about in the headlines but it had had an
about in the headlines but it had had an impact it had started a conversation
impact it had started a conversation
impact it had started a conversation simple physical gestures
simple physical gestures
simple physical gestures like the handshake can open the world to
like the handshake can open the world to
like the handshake can open the world to you there is sentiment and purpose with
you there is sentiment and purpose with
you there is sentiment and purpose with such gestures with the human touch which
such gestures with the human touch which
such gestures with the human touch which something as basic as that human
something as basic as that human
something as basic as that human handshake and there’s a reason to get
handshake and there’s a reason to get
handshake and there’s a reason to get behind this and pursue the handshake as
behind this and pursue the handshake as
behind this and pursue the handshake as if it were a campaign like a like a
if it were a campaign like a like a
if it were a campaign like a like a presidential campaign maybe we could
presidential campaign maybe we could
presidential campaign maybe we could call it shake my hand maybe we can even
call it shake my hand maybe we can even
call it shake my hand maybe we can even start this movement today the handshake
start this movement today the handshake
start this movement today the handshake has existed in some form or another for
has existed in some form or another for
has existed in some form or another for thousands of years the gesture began as
thousands of years the gesture began as
thousands of years the gesture began as a way of conveying peaceful intentions
a way of conveying peaceful intentions
a way of conveying peaceful intentions by extending empty right hands strangers
by extending empty right hands strangers
by extending empty right hands strangers could show that they bore no ill-will
could show that they bore no ill-will
could show that they bore no ill-will toward one another and if you think
toward one another and if you think
toward one another and if you think about it
about it
about it the up and down movement of the
the up and down movement of the
the up and down movement of the handshake itself could dislodge any
handshake itself could dislodge any
handshake itself could dislodge any daggers or knives that might be hidden
daggers or knives that might be hidden
daggers or knives that might be hidden in your sleeve which sort of seems like
in your sleeve which sort of seems like
in your sleeve which sort of seems like a really first you know important first
a really first you know important first
a really first you know important first step to communication we see the
step to communication we see the
step to communication we see the handshake in any number of situations
handshake in any number of situations
handshake in any number of situations politicians for example they love to
politicians for example they love to
politicians for example they love to shake hands we shake hands over business
shake hands we shake hands over business
shake hands we shake hands over business deals we shake hands when we are
deals we shake hands when we are
deals we shake hands when we are receiving accolades and diplomas they
receiving accolades and diplomas they
receiving accolades and diplomas they come in variant strengths strong and
come in variant strengths strong and
come in variant strengths strong and firm sometimes a bit weak and limp and
firm sometimes a bit weak and limp and
firm sometimes a bit weak and limp and sometimes sweaty and well the modern
sometimes sweaty and well the modern
sometimes sweaty and well the modern concept of the handshake seems rather
concept of the handshake seems rather
concept of the handshake seems rather casual to most of us there’s something
casual to most of us there’s something
casual to most of us there’s something important and symbolic in the act itself
important and symbolic in the act itself
important and symbolic in the act itself that helped us to understand how we
that helped us to understand how we
that helped us to understand how we function in society the historian Walter
function in society the historian Walter
function in society the historian Walter Burkert explains an agreement can be
Burkert explains an agreement can be
Burkert explains an agreement can be expressed quickly and clearly with words
expressed quickly and clearly with words
expressed quickly and clearly with words but it’s made effective by a ritual
but it’s made effective by a ritual
but it’s made effective by a ritual gesture open weaponless hands stretched
gesture open weaponless hands stretched
gesture open weaponless hands stretched out grasping each other in a mutual
out grasping each other in a mutual
out grasping each other in a mutual handshake I want to focus on a couple of
handshake I want to focus on a couple of
handshake I want to focus on a couple of words that shouldn’t be taken for
words that shouldn’t be taken for
words that shouldn’t be taken for granted in that statement kind of like
granted in that statement kind of like
granted in that statement kind of like the three pillars of a really good
the three pillars of a really good
the three pillars of a really good handshake effective open and mutual it
handshake effective open and mutual it
handshake effective open and mutual it seems silly to dissect a simple hand
seems silly to dissect a simple hand
seems silly to dissect a simple hand movement but when you think about that
movement but when you think about that
movement but when you think about that deconstruction you can you can make the
deconstruction you can you can make the
deconstruction you can you can make the case you can see the importance of the
case you can see the importance of the
case you can see the importance of the signals that come from that they’re
signals that come from that they’re
signals that come from that they’re meant to connect us
meant to connect us
meant to connect us and yet in this world right now we seem
and yet in this world right now we seem
and yet in this world right now we seem sometimes utterly disconnected unable to
sometimes utterly disconnected unable to
sometimes utterly disconnected unable to rally and solve problems so what is it
rally and solve problems so what is it
rally and solve problems so what is it that prevents us from taking that small
that prevents us from taking that small
that prevents us from taking that small step and just reaching out towards
step and just reaching out towards
step and just reaching out towards someone else and starting that first
someone else and starting that first
someone else and starting that first conversation well in case you hadn’t
conversation well in case you hadn’t
conversation well in case you hadn’t noticed we’re in something of a
noticed we’re in something of a
noticed we’re in something of a polarizing time in history our planet is
polarizing time in history our planet is
polarizing time in history our planet is connected in all kinds of ways but we
connected in all kinds of ways but we
connected in all kinds of ways but we are also less open sometimes less
are also less open sometimes less
are also less open sometimes less effective and we have less mutual
effective and we have less mutual
effective and we have less mutual appreciation for one another than ever
appreciation for one another than ever
appreciation for one another than ever before
before
before there are several contributing factors
there are several contributing factors
there are several contributing factors to this and I’m just going to touch on a
to this and I’m just going to touch on a
to this and I’m just going to touch on a few that I think apply here we have
few that I think apply here we have
few that I think apply here we have technology at our disposal but we are
technology at our disposal but we are
technology at our disposal but we are often not so personally connected we
often not so personally connected we
often not so personally connected we engage in polarizing behavior out of
engage in polarizing behavior out of
engage in polarizing behavior out of complacency and pigeonholing and we end
complacency and pigeonholing and we end
complacency and pigeonholing and we end up fearful of the unknown and stressed
up fearful of the unknown and stressed
up fearful of the unknown and stressed to find effective solutions to the
to find effective solutions to the
to find effective solutions to the challenges that we face so let’s talk
challenges that we face so let’s talk
challenges that we face so let’s talk about digital connectivity without
about digital connectivity without
about digital connectivity without personal connectivity we might just be
personal connectivity we might just be
personal connectivity we might just be the victims of our own enthusiasm to
the victims of our own enthusiasm to
the victims of our own enthusiasm to embrace the nuances of modern
embrace the nuances of modern
embrace the nuances of modern communication no doubt you’ve observed
communication no doubt you’ve observed
communication no doubt you’ve observed that many are driven by the desire to be
that many are driven by the desire to be
that many are driven by the desire to be known by many but understood by a few
known by many but understood by a few
known by many but understood by a few sometimes it sort of feels as though
sometimes it sort of feels as though
sometimes it sort of feels as though social media has replaced living and
social media has replaced living and
social media has replaced living and bonding with status updates and food
bonding with status updates and food
bonding with status updates and food photos we sort of cherry-pick the
photos we sort of cherry-pick the
photos we sort of cherry-pick the moments we want to share and the
moments we want to share and the
moments we want to share and the vulnerability we allow ourselves but we
vulnerability we allow ourselves but we
vulnerability we allow ourselves but we believe in the power of these forms of
believe in the power of these forms of
believe in the power of these forms of socialization because well we are
socialization because well we are
socialization because well we are connected across the globe in a way we
connected across the globe in a way we
connected across the globe in a way we never thought possible before but there
never thought possible before but there
never thought possible before but there is something uniquely lost in all of
is something uniquely lost in all of
is something uniquely lost in all of that there’s a lack of intimacy there’s
that there’s a lack of intimacy there’s
that there’s a lack of intimacy there’s a lack of the very vulnerability
a lack of the very vulnerability
a lack of the very vulnerability required to shake hands or to show any
required to shake hands or to show any
required to shake hands or to show any kind of body language that is sincere
kind of body language that is sincere
kind of body language that is sincere how we face challenges and solve them is
how we face challenges and solve them is
how we face challenges and solve them is increasingly influenced by our
increasingly influenced by our
increasingly influenced by our dependence on automation digitization
dependence on automation digitization
dependence on automation digitization has changed the way that we view
has changed the way that we view
has changed the way that we view products
products
products services and solutions but it also
services and solutions but it also
services and solutions but it also sometimes ignores key emotional and
sometimes ignores key emotional and
sometimes ignores key emotional and physical cues often needed to innovate
physical cues often needed to innovate
physical cues often needed to innovate so the depth of sincerity is therefore
so the depth of sincerity is therefore
so the depth of sincerity is therefore really hard to engage it’s not always
really hard to engage it’s not always
really hard to engage it’s not always clear what the true nature of someone’s
clear what the true nature of someone’s
clear what the true nature of someone’s agenda is when we’re only engaging in
agenda is when we’re only engaging in
agenda is when we’re only engaging in virtual handshakes so what’s the message
virtual handshakes so what’s the message
virtual handshakes so what’s the message here how effective open or mutual can we
here how effective open or mutual can we
here how effective open or mutual can we be when facing challenges if we push
be when facing challenges if we push
be when facing challenges if we push digital connection over physical
digital connection over physical
digital connection over physical connection
connection
connection worse when we retreat from vulnerability
worse when we retreat from vulnerability
worse when we retreat from vulnerability none of us are immune to polarization
none of us are immune to polarization
none of us are immune to polarization everyone here must sense that this age
everyone here must sense that this age
everyone here must sense that this age of you’re either with us or against us
of you’re either with us or against us
of you’re either with us or against us is a deeply troubling state of the world
is a deeply troubling state of the world
is a deeply troubling state of the world polarization means people are unwilling
polarization means people are unwilling
polarization means people are unwilling to compromise speak to each other in
to compromise speak to each other in
to compromise speak to each other in tones of affirmation and consideration
tones of affirmation and consideration
tones of affirmation and consideration or listen intently so many of us have
or listen intently so many of us have
or listen intently so many of us have gotten used to divisive nough social
gotten used to divisive nough social
gotten used to divisive nough social interactions and that creates a vacuum
interactions and that creates a vacuum
interactions and that creates a vacuum in debate and discussion sort of killing
in debate and discussion sort of killing
in debate and discussion sort of killing the notion of compromise and negotiation
the notion of compromise and negotiation
the notion of compromise and negotiation it’s a challenge to create impact when
it’s a challenge to create impact when
it’s a challenge to create impact when we are constantly distinguishing
we are constantly distinguishing
we are constantly distinguishing ourselves from others I’m Asian American
ourselves from others I’m Asian American
ourselves from others I’m Asian American he’s gay he’s a socialist she’s a
he’s gay he’s a socialist she’s a
he’s gay he’s a socialist she’s a blue-collar worker
blue-collar worker
blue-collar worker our obsession with labeling or
our obsession with labeling or
our obsession with labeling or pigeonholing has created a fractured
pigeonholing has created a fractured
pigeonholing has created a fractured community and we effectively create
community and we effectively create
community and we effectively create walls so how effective open or mutually
walls so how effective open or mutually
walls so how effective open or mutually beneficial can this be to anyone or any
beneficial can this be to anyone or any
beneficial can this be to anyone or any political social or economic cause how
political social or economic cause how
political social or economic cause how do we predict success from within the
do we predict success from within the
do we predict success from within the confines of those walls I don’t mean to
confines of those walls I don’t mean to
confines of those walls I don’t mean to give you the impression that I have no
give you the impression that I have no
give you the impression that I have no appreciation for the complexities of
appreciation for the complexities of
appreciation for the complexities of some of our most devastating challenges
some of our most devastating challenges
some of our most devastating challenges but sometimes oversimplification can
but sometimes oversimplification can
but sometimes oversimplification can actually help us to identify the
actually help us to identify the
actually help us to identify the smallest steps we need to take before we
smallest steps we need to take before we
smallest steps we need to take before we take the giant leaps the message here
take the giant leaps the message here
take the giant leaps the message here when we are conditioned
when we are conditioned
when we are conditioned to separate ourselves we find it hard to
to separate ourselves we find it hard to
to separate ourselves we find it hard to identify common ground but a handshake
identify common ground but a handshake
identify common ground but a handshake could change that the pigeonholing I
could change that the pigeonholing I
could change that the pigeonholing I spoke of as well as the technology that
spoke of as well as the technology that
spoke of as well as the technology that we allow in our lives certainly
we allow in our lives certainly
we allow in our lives certainly contributes sometimes to the feelings of
contributes sometimes to the feelings of
contributes sometimes to the feelings of stress and isolationism do you ever feel
stress and isolationism do you ever feel
stress and isolationism do you ever feel there isn’t enough time in a day to be
there isn’t enough time in a day to be
there isn’t enough time in a day to be deliberate with our personal and shared
deliberate with our personal and shared
deliberate with our personal and shared human experiences well without those
human experiences well without those
human experiences well without those human experiences we begin to fear the
human experiences we begin to fear the
human experiences we begin to fear the unknown and slowly close ourselves off
unknown and slowly close ourselves off
unknown and slowly close ourselves off not just to people but to possibility
not just to people but to possibility
not just to people but to possibility cognitive scientists have always argued
cognitive scientists have always argued
cognitive scientists have always argued that we were never really designed to be
that we were never really designed to be
that we were never really designed to be solitary creatures and yet loneliness
solitary creatures and yet loneliness
solitary creatures and yet loneliness sometimes feels like a modern day
sometimes feels like a modern day
sometimes feels like a modern day epidemic dr. cacio Poe of the university
epidemic dr. cacio Poe of the university
epidemic dr. cacio Poe of the university of chicago has been studying loneliness
of chicago has been studying loneliness
of chicago has been studying loneliness for over two decades and he argues that
for over two decades and he argues that
for over two decades and he argues that the absence of human connection triggers
the absence of human connection triggers
the absence of human connection triggers primal alarm bells much like what we
primal alarm bells much like what we
primal alarm bells much like what we experience when we have hunger or fear
experience when we have hunger or fear
experience when we have hunger or fear or pain so as a human race we’ve
or pain so as a human race we’ve
or pain so as a human race we’ve survived because we have been social
survived because we have been social
survived because we have been social we’ve been physical with each other in
we’ve been physical with each other in
we’ve been physical with each other in order to face the challenges throughout
order to face the challenges throughout
order to face the challenges throughout the thousands of eight of years so why
the thousands of eight of years so why
the thousands of eight of years so why would this be any different now in the
would this be any different now in the
would this be any different now in the modern time exclusion self-inflicted or
modern time exclusion self-inflicted or
modern time exclusion self-inflicted or otherwise is exactly the opposite of a
otherwise is exactly the opposite of a
otherwise is exactly the opposite of a handshakes intent and we stand to be
handshakes intent and we stand to be
handshakes intent and we stand to be weaker for it so how can the handshake
weaker for it so how can the handshake
weaker for it so how can the handshake be meaningful in a world of disunion and
be meaningful in a world of disunion and
be meaningful in a world of disunion and discord if we are indeed closed off
discord if we are indeed closed off
discord if we are indeed closed off either because of digitizing our
either because of digitizing our
either because of digitizing our interactions or sorting ourselves out
interactions or sorting ourselves out
interactions or sorting ourselves out into certain profiles or because we’re
into certain profiles or because we’re
into certain profiles or because we’re too stressed afraid or alone how do we
too stressed afraid or alone how do we
too stressed afraid or alone how do we break that cycle
break that cycle
break that cycle it feels really big it feels as big as
it feels really big it feels as big as
it feels really big it feels as big as say famine or nuclear war it feels as
say famine or nuclear war it feels as
say famine or nuclear war it feels as though we’re all just a bit out of sync
though we’re all just a bit out of sync
though we’re all just a bit out of sync with each other and it’s too easy to
with each other and it’s too easy to
with each other and it’s too easy to hide in the shadow of risk-taking but
hide in the shadow of risk-taking but
hide in the shadow of risk-taking but remember what I said about simplicity
remember what I said about simplicity
remember what I said about simplicity let’s go back to this image the
let’s go back to this image the
let’s go back to this image the handshake what is your most
handshake what is your most
handshake what is your most raw impression of it it’s touch inner
raw impression of it it’s touch inner
raw impression of it it’s touch inner New York Times modern love sa writer
New York Times modern love sa writer
New York Times modern love sa writer Michele fear to me so makes the case for
Michele fear to me so makes the case for
Michele fear to me so makes the case for moments of intimacy between strangers
moments of intimacy between strangers
moments of intimacy between strangers touch solidifies something an
touch solidifies something an
touch solidifies something an introduction a salutation a feeling
introduction a salutation a feeling
introduction a salutation a feeling empathy is what she writes touch can
empathy is what she writes touch can
empathy is what she writes touch can also be useful in suppressing pain and
also be useful in suppressing pain and
also be useful in suppressing pain and can help us to synchronize which is
can help us to synchronize which is
can help us to synchronize which is crucial for social development I’m not
crucial for social development I’m not
crucial for social development I’m not telling you anything you don’t already
telling you anything you don’t already
telling you anything you don’t already know human touches a tool for comfort
know human touches a tool for comfort
know human touches a tool for comfort and empathy well like that’s just common
and empathy well like that’s just common
and empathy well like that’s just common sense but maybe maybe it’s not common
sense but maybe maybe it’s not common
sense but maybe maybe it’s not common practice it contributes to our longevity
practice it contributes to our longevity
practice it contributes to our longevity much like healthy food or exercise we
much like healthy food or exercise we
much like healthy food or exercise we underestimate the value of touch I mean
underestimate the value of touch I mean
underestimate the value of touch I mean it’s not you know a hug isn’t just a hug
it’s not you know a hug isn’t just a hug
it’s not you know a hug isn’t just a hug it actually helps to release the
it actually helps to release the
it actually helps to release the hormones that we need to feel good it
hormones that we need to feel good it
hormones that we need to feel good it also conveys inclusion there is strength
also conveys inclusion there is strength
also conveys inclusion there is strength in numbers and inclusion offers us a
in numbers and inclusion offers us a
in numbers and inclusion offers us a chance to collectively plan and to work
chance to collectively plan and to work
chance to collectively plan and to work together in 1986 I and many of my second
together in 1986 I and many of my second
together in 1986 I and many of my second grade classmates participated in a
grade classmates participated in a
grade classmates participated in a publicity campaign called Hands Across
publicity campaign called Hands Across
publicity campaign called Hands Across America maybe some people here remember
America maybe some people here remember
America maybe some people here remember it this campaign raised money and
it this campaign raised money and
it this campaign raised money and awareness to fight famine in Africa and
awareness to fight famine in Africa and
awareness to fight famine in Africa and homelessness in the United States
homelessness in the United States
homelessness in the United States approximately 6.5 million people held
approximately 6.5 million people held
approximately 6.5 million people held hands in a human chain for 15 minutes
hands in a human chain for 15 minutes
hands in a human chain for 15 minutes along a path across the contiguous
along a path across the contiguous
along a path across the contiguous United States I mean talk about strength
United States I mean talk about strength
United States I mean talk about strength in numbers to bring awareness to an
in numbers to bring awareness to an
in numbers to bring awareness to an issue when’s the last time you saw six
issue when’s the last time you saw six
issue when’s the last time you saw six people holding hands at the same time
people holding hands at the same time
people holding hands at the same time Barry White jr. is a 5th grade English
Barry White jr. is a 5th grade English
Barry White jr. is a 5th grade English teacher in Charlotte North Carolina and
teacher in Charlotte North Carolina and
teacher in Charlotte North Carolina and every morning and every afternoon he
every morning and every afternoon he
every morning and every afternoon he greets and says goodbye to each of his
greets and says goodbye to each of his
greets and says goodbye to each of his students with elaborate and personalized
students with elaborate and personalized
students with elaborate and personalized handshakes that’s right every single
handshakes that’s right every single
handshakes that’s right every single handshake is a different one he started
handshake is a different one he started
handshake is a different one he started with simple handshakes with a few
with simple handshakes with a few
with simple handshakes with a few students at recess and then he said it
students at recess and then he said it
students at recess and then he said it became contagious and first it was just
became contagious and first it was just
became contagious and first it was just his class that
his class that
his class that became students from other classes I’ve
became students from other classes I’ve
became students from other classes I’ve watched the video of students lining up
watched the video of students lining up
watched the video of students lining up and down his corridor every morning
and down his corridor every morning
and down his corridor every morning ready to do you know they’re cool high
ready to do you know they’re cool high
ready to do you know they’re cool high fives and slaps and I mean it’s amazing
fives and slaps and I mean it’s amazing
fives and slaps and I mean it’s amazing and I always end up with a huge smile in
and I always end up with a huge smile in
and I always end up with a huge smile in my face and I feel inspired he’s pumped
my face and I feel inspired he’s pumped
my face and I feel inspired he’s pumped up his students are pumped up and his
up his students are pumped up and his
up his students are pumped up and his colleagues agree that high academic
colleagues agree that high academic
colleagues agree that high academic achievement every day requires an
achievement every day requires an
achievement every day requires an investment in that meaningful
investment in that meaningful
investment in that meaningful relationship between a teacher and their
relationship between a teacher and their
relationship between a teacher and their student if you see that someone cares
student if you see that someone cares
student if you see that someone cares about you in that cool and eccentric way
about you in that cool and eccentric way
about you in that cool and eccentric way you will be more engaged you will
you will be more engaged you will
you will be more engaged you will succeed now I realize we’ve been witness
succeed now I realize we’ve been witness
succeed now I realize we’ve been witness to many important handshakes throughout
to many important handshakes throughout
to many important handshakes throughout time that haven’t always translated into
time that haven’t always translated into
time that haven’t always translated into success or change and sometimes they’ve
success or change and sometimes they’ve
success or change and sometimes they’ve just failed even to unite us there is no
just failed even to unite us there is no
just failed even to unite us there is no guarantee that your next handshake leads
guarantee that your next handshake leads
guarantee that your next handshake leads to the impact that you desire but at the
to the impact that you desire but at the
to the impact that you desire but at the very least you’ve created a connection
very least you’ve created a connection
very least you’ve created a connection maybe you’ve exchanged ideas and
maybe you’ve exchanged ideas and
maybe you’ve exchanged ideas and dialogue and that’s a risk worth taking
dialogue and that’s a risk worth taking
dialogue and that’s a risk worth taking because meaningful physical connections
because meaningful physical connections
because meaningful physical connections with people allow us to socialize
with people allow us to socialize
with people allow us to socialize face-to-face it allows us to invest in
face-to-face it allows us to invest in
face-to-face it allows us to invest in common denominators and to foster
common denominators and to foster
common denominators and to foster inclusion if you feel passionate about a
inclusion if you feel passionate about a
inclusion if you feel passionate about a cause if you want to rig the oceans of
cause if you want to rig the oceans of
cause if you want to rig the oceans of plastic waste or you know provide better
plastic waste or you know provide better
plastic waste or you know provide better educational opportunities for the
educational opportunities for the
educational opportunities for the economically challenged believe me your
economically challenged believe me your
economically challenged believe me your ideas will fly faster and further if you
ideas will fly faster and further if you
ideas will fly faster and further if you just take that first step to reach out
just take that first step to reach out
just take that first step to reach out your hand and connect with someone else
your hand and connect with someone else
your hand and connect with someone else after that first week in high school I
after that first week in high school I
after that first week in high school I felt less afraid
felt less afraid
felt less afraid I felt included and I began to make
I felt included and I began to make
I felt included and I began to make relationships maybe repeat this mantra
relationships maybe repeat this mantra
relationships maybe repeat this mantra to yourself when you’re facing a new
to yourself when you’re facing a new
to yourself when you’re facing a new challenge a handshake can lead to a
challenge a handshake can lead to a
challenge a handshake can lead to a conversation conversations lead to
conversation conversations lead to
conversation conversations lead to relationships relationships lead to
relationships relationships lead to
relationships relationships lead to collaboration and collaboration can lead
collaboration and collaboration can lead
collaboration and collaboration can lead to change I know the handshake seems
to change I know the handshake seems
to change I know the handshake seems almost too basic to Corral around and
almost too basic to Corral around and
almost too basic to Corral around and build a movement but
build a movement but
build a movement but but no one builds a house starting with
but no one builds a house starting with
but no one builds a house starting with the roof I just believe that a handshake
the roof I just believe that a handshake
the roof I just believe that a handshake can only be a positive push in the
can only be a positive push in the
can only be a positive push in the direction of impact we are about to
direction of impact we are about to
direction of impact we are about to break now so this might actually be the
break now so this might actually be the
break now so this might actually be the exact opportunity to start such a unique
exact opportunity to start such a unique
exact opportunity to start such a unique campaign I want you to turn to someone
campaign I want you to turn to someone
campaign I want you to turn to someone that you don’t know during that break
that you don’t know during that break
that you don’t know during that break and shake their hand or fist-bump them
and shake their hand or fist-bump them
and shake their hand or fist-bump them maybe you wipe the sweat off your hand
maybe you wipe the sweat off your hand
maybe you wipe the sweat off your hand first or dislodge any of the ninth
first or dislodge any of the ninth
first or dislodge any of the ninth century BC daggers that you have in your
century BC daggers that you have in your
century BC daggers that you have in your sleeve but today I want you to think
sleeve but today I want you to think
sleeve but today I want you to think about why that handshake could be so
about why that handshake could be so
about why that handshake could be so much more than just a greeting even if
much more than just a greeting even if
much more than just a greeting even if you’ve done it a hundred times before so
you’ve done it a hundred times before so
you’ve done it a hundred times before so let’s get to shaking and let’s get to
let’s get to shaking and let’s get to
let’s get to shaking and let’s get to work thank you
work thank you
work thank you [Applause]
”
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