few years ago I got to go to my 20-year high school reunion and it was a wild
high school reunion and it was a wild
high school reunion and it was a wild experience I mean there were people
experience I mean there were people
experience I mean there were people there who I’ve been friends with over
there who I’ve been friends with over
there who I’ve been friends with over the years and so I was just hanging out
the years and so I was just hanging out
the years and so I was just hanging out there were some folks who I’ve you know
there were some folks who I’ve you know
there were some folks who I’ve you know just kept up with on Facebook and watch
just kept up with on Facebook and watch
just kept up with on Facebook and watch their kids grow up and straight up there
their kids grow up and straight up there
their kids grow up and straight up there were some people who were complete and
were some people who were complete and
were some people who were complete and total strangers I’ve never seen them
total strangers I’ve never seen them
total strangers I’ve never seen them before in my life and we made friends
before in my life and we made friends
before in my life and we made friends that weekend and anything from just
that weekend and anything from just
that weekend and anything from just hanging out and the events and going out
hanging out and the events and going out
hanging out and the events and going out that whole weekend was a fantastic
that whole weekend was a fantastic
that whole weekend was a fantastic experience in the day of the reunion
experience in the day of the reunion
experience in the day of the reunion that there was a party that night and
that there was a party that night and
that there was a party that night and and I found myself at like 2 o’clock in
and I found myself at like 2 o’clock in
and I found myself at like 2 o’clock in the morning in a hotel parking lot a
the morning in a hotel parking lot a
the morning in a hotel parking lot a bunch of other 40 year olds pretending
bunch of other 40 year olds pretending
bunch of other 40 year olds pretending like we’re 18 drinking rum and coke out
like we’re 18 drinking rum and coke out
like we’re 18 drinking rum and coke out of the trunk of some guy’s car and and
of the trunk of some guy’s car and and
of the trunk of some guy’s car and and this buddy of mine is telling this story
this buddy of mine is telling this story
this buddy of mine is telling this story about how he was like this journalist
about how he was like this journalist
about how he was like this journalist and China and getting the scoop and
and China and getting the scoop and
and China and getting the scoop and there was this bar fight and in getting
there was this bar fight and in getting
there was this bar fight and in getting away and I’m like I’ve got a story to
away and I’m like I’ve got a story to
away and I’m like I’ve got a story to write and so my story actually took
write and so my story actually took
write and so my story actually took place just a few days before the reunion
place just a few days before the reunion
place just a few days before the reunion and see I do all the cooking in our
and see I do all the cooking in our
and see I do all the cooking in our house and in that night it was like
house and in that night it was like
house and in that night it was like Daddy does not feel like cooking even a
Daddy does not feel like cooking even a
Daddy does not feel like cooking even a little bit it’s gonna be whatever you
little bit it’s gonna be whatever you
little bit it’s gonna be whatever you can find in the kitchen that is what’s
can find in the kitchen that is what’s
can find in the kitchen that is what’s for supper and and I was hungry right
for supper and and I was hungry right
for supper and and I was hungry right then so I went into the pantry and I
then so I went into the pantry and I
then so I went into the pantry and I found a brand new full unopened box of
found a brand new full unopened box of
found a brand new full unopened box of cookie krisp and I’m looking at it and
cookie krisp and I’m looking at it and
cookie krisp and I’m looking at it and I’m like hey I’m a grown man I can have
I’m like hey I’m a grown man I can have
I’m like hey I’m a grown man I can have a box of cookie crisps for supper I
a box of cookie crisps for supper I
a box of cookie crisps for supper I wouldn’t and so I went I poured myself a
wouldn’t and so I went I poured myself a
wouldn’t and so I went I poured myself a bowl of cookie krisp and I’m eating my
bowl of cookie krisp and I’m eating my
bowl of cookie krisp and I’m eating my cookie crisp and you know I was reading
cookie crisp and you know I was reading
cookie crisp and you know I was reading the paper or looking at my phone or
the paper or looking at my phone or
the paper or looking at my phone or something and you know poured myself
something and you know poured myself
something and you know poured myself another bowl of cookie krisp and
another bowl of cookie krisp and
another bowl of cookie krisp and finished that one too in about that time
finished that one too in about that time
finished that one too in about that time my youngest daughter who was about eight
my youngest daughter who was about eight
my youngest daughter who was about eight years old at the time she comes up and
years old at the time she comes up and
years old at the time she comes up and she’s like ooh daddy can I have cookie
she’s like ooh daddy can I have cookie
she’s like ooh daddy can I have cookie crisps for supper too I’m like yeah baby
crisps for supper too I’m like yeah baby
crisps for supper too I’m like yeah baby get you a bowl come over here hang out
get you a bowl come over here hang out
get you a bowl come over here hang out with that now she she got her rolling I
with that now she she got her rolling I
with that now she she got her rolling I poured her a bowl of cookie krisp and
poured her a bowl of cookie krisp and
poured her a bowl of cookie krisp and and I didn’t wanted to be eaten by
and I didn’t wanted to be eaten by
and I didn’t wanted to be eaten by yourself there so I poured myself a bowl
yourself there so I poured myself a bowl
yourself there so I poured myself a bowl too and and I’m eating me a bowl cookie
too and and I’m eating me a bowl cookie
too and and I’m eating me a bowl cookie krisp and you know your friend and she’s
krisp and you know your friend and she’s
krisp and you know your friend and she’s like Daddy can I have another bowl sure
like Daddy can I have another bowl sure
like Daddy can I have another bowl sure baby here you go you know aboard her
baby here you go you know aboard her
baby here you go you know aboard her bowling you know poured myself another
bowling you know poured myself another
bowling you know poured myself another bowling
bowling
bowling always hanging out and a good time
always hanging out and a good time
always hanging out and a good time talking and doing all that and I
talking and doing all that and I
talking and doing all that and I realized my bowl is empty you know so I
realized my bowl is empty you know so I
realized my bowl is empty you know so I poured myself another Bowl and and I
poured myself another Bowl and and I
poured myself another Bowl and and I looked up and it was funny because I saw
looked up and it was funny because I saw
looked up and it was funny because I saw the expression on my daughter’s face
the expression on my daughter’s face
the expression on my daughter’s face change and she goes daddy how many bowls
change and she goes daddy how many bowls
change and she goes daddy how many bowls of cookie krisp are you gonna have and
of cookie krisp are you gonna have and
of cookie krisp are you gonna have and it was odd because right at that exact
it was odd because right at that exact
it was odd because right at that exact same moment my wife came walking into
same moment my wife came walking into
same moment my wife came walking into the kitchen and she had the exact same
the kitchen and she had the exact same
the kitchen and she had the exact same expression that my daughter on her face
expression that my daughter on her face
expression that my daughter on her face and she says baby how many bowls of
and she says baby how many bowls of
and she says baby how many bowls of Cookie Crisp has daddy had and I’m like
Cookie Crisp has daddy had and I’m like
Cookie Crisp has daddy had and I’m like no no grown man I get to have cookie
no no grown man I get to have cookie
no no grown man I get to have cookie crisps for supper if I want you know and
crisps for supper if I want you know and
crisps for supper if I want you know and I’m looking at my daughter and and I’m
I’m looking at my daughter and and I’m
I’m looking at my daughter and and I’m looking at her and I’m like don’t rat
looking at her and I’m like don’t rat
looking at her and I’m like don’t rat out daddy don’t do that and I’m looking
out daddy don’t do that and I’m looking
out daddy don’t do that and I’m looking at the Cookie Crisp police over here and
at the Cookie Crisp police over here and
at the Cookie Crisp police over here and again the expression on her face changed
again the expression on her face changed
again the expression on her face changed and she says oh mama daddy’s had four
and she says oh mama daddy’s had four
and she says oh mama daddy’s had four balls and my wife sees president change
balls and my wife sees president change
balls and my wife sees president change and I’m looking down at the little rat
and I’m looking down at the little rat
and I’m looking down at the little rat and I’m going man thank God you lost
and I’m going man thank God you lost
and I’m going man thank God you lost town cause it ain’t for I’m on five now
town cause it ain’t for I’m on five now
town cause it ain’t for I’m on five now baby and and it’s funny because so I’m
baby and and it’s funny because so I’m
baby and and it’s funny because so I’m telling that at the high school reunion
telling that at the high school reunion
telling that at the high school reunion and everybody’s laughing at two o’clock
and everybody’s laughing at two o’clock
and everybody’s laughing at two o’clock in the morning everybody’s laughing it
in the morning everybody’s laughing it
in the morning everybody’s laughing it was it was so funny and so like the next
was it was so funny and so like the next
was it was so funny and so like the next day I’m at breakfast and there are some
day I’m at breakfast and there are some
day I’m at breakfast and there are some people who weren’t there that night they
people who weren’t there that night they
people who weren’t there that night they come find me and they’re like hey Brian
come find me and they’re like hey Brian
come find me and they’re like hey Brian hey we want to hear the cookie krisp
hey we want to hear the cookie krisp
hey we want to hear the cookie krisp story and I hate yeah wait wait what oh
story and I hate yeah wait wait what oh
story and I hate yeah wait wait what oh no man so I’m not my high school reunion
no man so I’m not my high school reunion
no man so I’m not my high school reunion and all of a sudden I’m like the Cookie
and all of a sudden I’m like the Cookie
and all of a sudden I’m like the Cookie Crisp guy how did that happen right but
Crisp guy how did that happen right but
Crisp guy how did that happen right but people connected to that story and I
people connected to that story and I
people connected to that story and I wasn’t sure was it was it my the rat
wasn’t sure was it was it my the rat
wasn’t sure was it was it my the rat you know was it the Cookie Crisp police
you know was it the Cookie Crisp police
you know was it the Cookie Crisp police over here was it me or was it just this
over here was it me or was it just this
over here was it me or was it just this you know this love and appreciation for
you know this love and appreciation for
you know this love and appreciation for Cookie Crisp that they shared with me
Cookie Crisp that they shared with me
Cookie Crisp that they shared with me and and so I started thinking about who
and and so I started thinking about who
and and so I started thinking about who they are that they would connect with me
they are that they would connect with me
they are that they would connect with me you know and who I am and and who are
you know and who I am and and who are
you know and who I am and and who are you now someone asks you the question
you now someone asks you the question
you now someone asks you the question you know who are you who am I and I my
you know who are you who am I and I my
you know who are you who am I and I my first response honestly is is probably
first response honestly is is probably
first response honestly is is probably my name is hey I’m Brian you know but
my name is hey I’m Brian you know but
my name is hey I’m Brian you know but then I started thinking you know it kind
then I started thinking you know it kind
then I started thinking you know it kind of depends upon who’s asking the
of depends upon who’s asking the
of depends upon who’s asking the question right you know if they have on
question right you know if they have on
question right you know if they have on a shirt this is Alabama Crimson Tide I’m
a shirt this is Alabama Crimson Tide I’m
a shirt this is Alabama Crimson Tide I’m like whoo I’m an LSU Tiger you know if
like whoo I’m an LSU Tiger you know if
like whoo I’m an LSU Tiger you know if I’m up in New Hampshire being a two
I’m up in New Hampshire being a two
I’m up in New Hampshire being a two I might say oh I’m a southerner if I’m
I might say oh I’m a southerner if I’m
I might say oh I’m a southerner if I’m overseas I’m America all right or if
overseas I’m America all right or if
overseas I’m America all right or if there’s a spaceship that lands in little
there’s a spaceship that lands in little
there’s a spaceship that lands in little green men get out I’m probably gonna go
green men get out I’m probably gonna go
green men get out I’m probably gonna go real basic and just say hey I’m a human
real basic and just say hey I’m a human
real basic and just say hey I’m a human being and see all of those words we use
being and see all of those words we use
being and see all of those words we use to describe our membership in
to describe our membership in
to describe our membership in communities communities that are larger
communities communities that are larger
communities communities that are larger than ourselves it might be our school or
than ourselves it might be our school or
than ourselves it might be our school or our region it might be our country right
our region it might be our country right
our region it might be our country right but they describe a connection that we
but they describe a connection that we
but they describe a connection that we have with others and when we
have with others and when we
have with others and when we intentionally enter into those
intentionally enter into those
intentionally enter into those connections and we value the connections
connections and we value the connections
connections and we value the connections that we have with others that’s where we
that we have with others that’s where we
that we have with others that’s where we build community where we find unity and
build community where we find unity and
build community where we find unity and that’s what is going to heal the
that’s what is going to heal the
that’s what is going to heal the divisions that threaten to tear us apart
divisions that threaten to tear us apart
divisions that threaten to tear us apart so here’s what I want you to do I’d like
so here’s what I want you to do I’d like
so here’s what I want you to do I’d like everyone here I want you to close your
everyone here I want you to close your
everyone here I want you to close your eyes for just one moment close your eyes
eyes for just one moment close your eyes
eyes for just one moment close your eyes and I want you to think about who the
and I want you to think about who the
and I want you to think about who the strongest connection you have in your
strongest connection you have in your
strongest connection you have in your life I want you to just visualize them
life I want you to just visualize them
life I want you to just visualize them do you see their face or maybe it’s
do you see their face or maybe it’s
do you see their face or maybe it’s their eyes or their smile or their laugh
their eyes or their smile or their laugh
their eyes or their smile or their laugh I want you to get a good mental image of
I want you to get a good mental image of
I want you to get a good mental image of them and now open your eyes okay do you
them and now open your eyes okay do you
them and now open your eyes okay do you see them is it is it your son or your
see them is it is it your son or your
see them is it is it your son or your daughter or a brother or a spouse you
daughter or a brother or a spouse you
daughter or a brother or a spouse you know who it’s probably not it’s probably
know who it’s probably not it’s probably
know who it’s probably not it’s probably not one of the ladies who registered you
not one of the ladies who registered you
not one of the ladies who registered you when you walked into the building today
when you walked into the building today
when you walked into the building today right so we can agree that there are
right so we can agree that there are
right so we can agree that there are some connections that we have that are
some connections that we have that are
some connections that we have that are stronger than others right but you can
stronger than others right but you can
stronger than others right but you can actually be connected to total strangers
actually be connected to total strangers
actually be connected to total strangers see in the mid-1980s our family was
see in the mid-1980s our family was
see in the mid-1980s our family was stationed over in Europe my dad was in
stationed over in Europe my dad was in
stationed over in Europe my dad was in the Army for 20 years and and while
the Army for 20 years and and while
the Army for 20 years and and while we’re over there living in Germany we
we’re over there living in Germany we
we’re over there living in Germany we went on vacation and we were saying it
went on vacation and we were saying it
went on vacation and we were saying it was essentially is like a
was essentially is like a
was essentially is like a bed-and-breakfast a German guesthouse
bed-and-breakfast a German guesthouse
bed-and-breakfast a German guesthouse and it had an older German man and his
and it had an older German man and his
and it had an older German man and his wife ran it and one evening my dad and I
wife ran it and one evening my dad and I
wife ran it and one evening my dad and I are there on the first floor in the the
are there on the first floor in the the
are there on the first floor in the the dining area and this old German man is
dining area and this old German man is
dining area and this old German man is talking to my dad and he says well where
talking to my dad and he says well where
talking to my dad and he says well where are you from and my dad says oh well you
are you from and my dad says oh well you
are you from and my dad says oh well you know we’re from the United States and he
know we’re from the United States and he
know we’re from the United States and he says ah I know this where the United
says ah I know this where the United
says ah I know this where the United States are you from and my dad says oh
States are you from and my dad says oh
States are you from and my dad says oh well you know in the southern part of
well you know in the southern part of
well you know in the southern part of the United States there’s a we’re from
the United States there’s a we’re from
the United States there’s a we’re from the state of Mississippi and he says I
the state of Mississippi and he says I
the state of Mississippi and he says I have been to Mississippi it’s just
have been to Mississippi it’s just
have been to Mississippi it’s just really that’s
really that’s
really that’s wild you know kind of a small world
wild you know kind of a small world
wild you know kind of a small world gonna they all where and Mississippi are
gonna they all where and Mississippi are
gonna they all where and Mississippi are you from mine so well you know in the
you from mine so well you know in the
you from mine so well you know in the state of Mississippi right there on the
state of Mississippi right there on the
state of Mississippi right there on the Mississippi Gulf Coast I’m from this
Mississippi Gulf Coast I’m from this
Mississippi Gulf Coast I’m from this town called Biloxi and this old German
town called Biloxi and this old German
town called Biloxi and this old German man says I’ve been to Biloxi and it’s
man says I’ve been to Biloxi and it’s
man says I’ve been to Biloxi and it’s like okay now this is getting kind of
like okay now this is getting kind of
like okay now this is getting kind of wild right that is this small world is
wild right that is this small world is
wild right that is this small world is getting a lot smaller and of the the
getting a lot smaller and of the the
getting a lot smaller and of the the odds of this German man having been
odds of this German man having been
odds of this German man having been doubt of all the towns and states in the
doubt of all the towns and states in the
doubt of all the towns and states in the United States he’s been to Biloxi
United States he’s been to Biloxi
United States he’s been to Biloxi Mississippi – as well on earth are you
Mississippi – as well on earth are you
Mississippi – as well on earth are you doing in Biloxi Mississippi and he says
doing in Biloxi Mississippi and he says
doing in Biloxi Mississippi and he says world war two prisoner of war and when
world war two prisoner of war and when
world war two prisoner of war and when the United States Army would capture
the United States Army would capture
the United States Army would capture German army soldiers they would ship
German army soldiers they would ship
German army soldiers they would ship them back to the United States and there
them back to the United States and there
them back to the United States and there were four POWs camps in Southern
were four POWs camps in Southern
were four POWs camps in Southern Mississippi and this man was one and all
Mississippi and this man was one and all
Mississippi and this man was one and all of a sudden there’s a connection but see
of a sudden there’s a connection but see
of a sudden there’s a connection but see we can be connected to people that we’ve
we can be connected to people that we’ve
we can be connected to people that we’ve never even met a few months ago Chris
never even met a few months ago Chris
never even met a few months ago Chris Cornell who was the lead singer to the
Cornell who was the lead singer to the
Cornell who was the lead singer to the band Soundgarden committed suicide and
band Soundgarden committed suicide and
band Soundgarden committed suicide and when the news came out it was like a
when the news came out it was like a
when the news came out it was like a punch to the gut and not just me and my
punch to the gut and not just me and my
punch to the gut and not just me and my friends I mean we’re all talking about
friends I mean we’re all talking about
friends I mean we’re all talking about this impact that this guy had and and
this impact that this guy had and and
this impact that this guy had and and I’m thinking about why am i connected to
I’m thinking about why am i connected to
I’m thinking about why am i connected to this man but through his words and his
this man but through his words and his
this man but through his words and his music when I was in high school in
music when I was in high school in
music when I was in high school in college oh I connected to them even
college oh I connected to them even
college oh I connected to them even though that connection was entirely
though that connection was entirely
though that connection was entirely one-sided but does the connection remain
one-sided but does the connection remain
one-sided but does the connection remain does it just does it just die off so in
does it just does it just die off so in
does it just does it just die off so in May of this year I was actually in this
May of this year I was actually in this
May of this year I was actually in this exact building sitting right about there
exact building sitting right about there
exact building sitting right about there and I was sitting next to an old family
and I was sitting next to an old family
and I was sitting next to an old family friend of ours who happened to be an
friend of ours who happened to be an
friend of ours who happened to be an Army veteran – and he was telling me the
Army veteran – and he was telling me the
Army veteran – and he was telling me the story of how he and his wife recently
story of how he and his wife recently
story of how he and his wife recently traveled halfway across the country to
traveled halfway across the country to
traveled halfway across the country to go visit an old Vietnam buddy of his and
go visit an old Vietnam buddy of his and
go visit an old Vietnam buddy of his and I’m like wow him listen to this story I
I’m like wow him listen to this story I
I’m like wow him listen to this story I mean this is an older man the trip is it
mean this is an older man the trip is it
mean this is an older man the trip is it wasn’t necessarily easy it took them
wasn’t necessarily easy it took them
wasn’t necessarily easy it took them several days and they left South
several days and they left South
several days and they left South Carolina and they drove all the way to
Carolina and they drove all the way to
Carolina and they drove all the way to the middle of nowhere Illinois and I’m
the middle of nowhere Illinois and I’m
the middle of nowhere Illinois and I’m talking like Chicago’s up here I’m
talking like Chicago’s up here I’m
talking like Chicago’s up here I’m talking like cornfield nothing else one
talking like cornfield nothing else one
talking like cornfield nothing else one stoplight maybe they’re right and they
stoplight maybe they’re right and they
stoplight maybe they’re right and they didn’t go all the way from South
didn’t go all the way from South
didn’t go all the way from South Carolina to there for these you know two
Carolina to there for these you know two
Carolina to there for these you know two old guys to trade stories about Nam or
old guys to trade stories about Nam or
old guys to trade stories about Nam or or talk about their kids or show
or talk about their kids or show
or talk about their kids or show pictures and talk about the
pictures and talk about the
pictures and talk about the accomplishments of their grandkids no
accomplishments of their grandkids no
accomplishments of their grandkids no see this man and his wife they drove all
see this man and his wife they drove all
see this man and his wife they drove all the way across the country
the way across the country
the way across the country in the middle of nowhere Illinois to
in the middle of nowhere Illinois to
in the middle of nowhere Illinois to stand in a cemetery to stand at the
stand in a cemetery to stand at the
stand in a cemetery to stand at the grave of his Vietnam buddy who died
grave of his Vietnam buddy who died
grave of his Vietnam buddy who died fifty years ago this year and they did
fifty years ago this year and they did
fifty years ago this year and they did that because he’s still connected I mean
that because he’s still connected I mean
that because he’s still connected I mean against logic and space and time
against logic and space and time
against logic and space and time these two men are still connected and
these two men are still connected and
these two men are still connected and they drove all that way to honor the
they drove all that way to honor the
they drove all that way to honor the connection you remember the term least
connection you remember the term least
connection you remember the term least common denominator
common denominator
common denominator there’s some serious fourth grade math
there’s some serious fourth grade math
there’s some serious fourth grade math for you do you remember what it means so
for you do you remember what it means so
for you do you remember what it means so the least common denominator is when you
the least common denominator is when you
the least common denominator is when you have a bunch of different fractions and
have a bunch of different fractions and
have a bunch of different fractions and you there is one common multiple among
you there is one common multiple among
you there is one common multiple among all of them it’s the one number that
all of them it’s the one number that
all of them it’s the one number that they can all be reduced down to see we
they can all be reduced down to see we
they can all be reduced down to see we have a least common denominator you and
have a least common denominator you and
have a least common denominator you and me and the taxi driver in Kazakhstan
me and the taxi driver in Kazakhstan
me and the taxi driver in Kazakhstan great we’re all members of the species
great we’re all members of the species
great we’re all members of the species Homo sapiens we’re all humans and and
Homo sapiens we’re all humans and and
Homo sapiens we’re all humans and and that ties us together into a community
that ties us together into a community
that ties us together into a community that’s not defined by our physical
that’s not defined by our physical
that’s not defined by our physical aspects like you got two eyes two ears
aspects like you got two eyes two ears
aspects like you got two eyes two ears and a spleen see we share hopes we
and a spleen see we share hopes we
and a spleen see we share hopes we shared dreams and pain and fear and
shared dreams and pain and fear and
shared dreams and pain and fear and desire and love we share the unseen see
desire and love we share the unseen see
desire and love we share the unseen see our least common denominator is the
our least common denominator is the
our least common denominator is the authentic most inward and hidden parts
authentic most inward and hidden parts
authentic most inward and hidden parts of ourselves but see we focus on the
of ourselves but see we focus on the
of ourselves but see we focus on the differences on what you can see his skin
differences on what you can see his skin
differences on what you can see his skin color isn’t the same as mine her
color isn’t the same as mine her
color isn’t the same as mine her language isn’t the same as mine his
language isn’t the same as mine his
language isn’t the same as mine his sexual orientation it isn’t the same as
sexual orientation it isn’t the same as
sexual orientation it isn’t the same as mine her politics and ideology they are
mine her politics and ideology they are
mine her politics and ideology they are not the same as mine his religion isn’t
not the same as mine his religion isn’t
not the same as mine his religion isn’t the same as mine you see that pattern
the same as mine you see that pattern
the same as mine you see that pattern see we use those differences to turn
see we use those differences to turn
see we use those differences to turn human beings into other but see we can
human beings into other but see we can
human beings into other but see we can rise above that if we choose to recently
rise above that if we choose to recently
rise above that if we choose to recently Senator John McCain was diagnosed with
Senator John McCain was diagnosed with
Senator John McCain was diagnosed with this god-awful form of brain cancer and
this god-awful form of brain cancer and
this god-awful form of brain cancer and see messages of love and hope and
see messages of love and hope and
see messages of love and hope and support poured in from both sides of the
support poured in from both sides of the
support poured in from both sides of the aisle from his most bitter
aisle from his most bitter
aisle from his most bitter fools September the 11th happens and
fools September the 11th happens and
fools September the 11th happens and there’s Congress on the steps to the
there’s Congress on the steps to the
there’s Congress on the steps to the United States Capitol singing not about
United States Capitol singing not about
United States Capitol singing not about divisive ‘no sand ideology and budget no
divisive ‘no sand ideology and budget no
divisive ‘no sand ideology and budget no they’re singing songs of unity songs of
they’re singing songs of unity songs of
they’re singing songs of unity songs of america they want relationship and they
america they want relationship and they
america they want relationship and they want authenticity right and if there’s a
want authenticity right and if there’s a
want authenticity right and if there’s a terrorist attack or a natural disaster
terrorist attack or a natural disaster
terrorist attack or a natural disaster that happens what happens
that happens what happens
that happens what happens social media lights up with messages of
social media lights up with messages of
social media lights up with messages of love and hope and support why because
love and hope and support why because
love and hope and support why because we’ve been there or we could be there we
we’ve been there or we could be there we
we’ve been there or we could be there we recognize that that there are ties that
recognize that that there are ties that
recognize that that there are ties that bind us all together like that I think
bind us all together like that I think
bind us all together like that I think there is a recent study by the foster
there is a recent study by the foster
there is a recent study by the foster School of Business at the University of
School of Business at the University of
School of Business at the University of Washington that says that people desire
Washington that says that people desire
Washington that says that people desire genuineness they they want that
genuineness they they want that
genuineness they they want that authenticity when dealing with others
authenticity when dealing with others
authenticity when dealing with others but see we live in this globalizing
but see we live in this globalizing
but see we live in this globalizing world right where billions of people are
world right where billions of people are
world right where billions of people are now friends or followers and is that how
now friends or followers and is that how
now friends or followers and is that how we value connection the quantity the
we value connection the quantity the
we value connection the quantity the sheer number is that what we teach our
sheer number is that what we teach our
sheer number is that what we teach our children is that what we teach ourselves
children is that what we teach ourselves
children is that what we teach ourselves that it’s the number of likes and
that it’s the number of likes and
that it’s the number of likes and comments and views that you can get see
comments and views that you can get see
comments and views that you can get see our world’s becoming more polarizing not
our world’s becoming more polarizing not
our world’s becoming more polarizing not less people surround themselves in
less people surround themselves in
less people surround themselves in communities that are insular that
communities that are insular that
communities that are insular that perpetuate their beliefs and we see the
perpetuate their beliefs and we see the
perpetuate their beliefs and we see the effects of those beliefs and attacks in
effects of those beliefs and attacks in
effects of those beliefs and attacks in places like Syria and Barcelona and
places like Syria and Barcelona and
places like Syria and Barcelona and Manchester and in Paris but see not just
Manchester and in Paris but see not just
Manchester and in Paris but see not just there we see that right here at home
there we see that right here at home
there we see that right here at home in Charlottesville and in Charleston in
in Charlottesville and in Charleston in
in Charlottesville and in Charleston in Dallas and Baton Rouge and Ferguson in
Dallas and Baton Rouge and Ferguson in
Dallas and Baton Rouge and Ferguson in Orlando see the speeches are not gonna
Orlando see the speeches are not gonna
Orlando see the speeches are not gonna save us hashtags are not going to end
save us hashtags are not going to end
save us hashtags are not going to end the divisive naseeb is not gonna
the divisive naseeb is not gonna
the divisive naseeb is not gonna overcome this evil what does that change
overcome this evil what does that change
overcome this evil what does that change look like for you and for me see for me
look like for you and for me see for me
look like for you and for me see for me it starts with ending some racial
it starts with ending some racial
it starts with ending some racial stereotypes of me accepting an
stereotypes of me accepting an
stereotypes of me accepting an invitation to an
invitation to an
invitation to an all black church they’re going to see a
all black church they’re going to see a
all black church they’re going to see a black barber or firing one contractor
black barber or firing one contractor
black barber or firing one contractor when he uses racial slurs against
when he uses racial slurs against
when he uses racial slurs against another respecting people not based on
another respecting people not based on
another respecting people not based on result err and etiquette but on their
result err and etiquette but on their
result err and etiquette but on their value as a person another person with
value as a person another person with
value as a person another person with hopes and fears and dreams and desires
hopes and fears and dreams and desires
hopes and fears and dreams and desires just like me so what can you do what
just like me so what can you do what
just like me so what can you do what should you do I mean we’re not gonna
should you do I mean we’re not gonna
should you do I mean we’re not gonna walk out of here locked arm-in-arm
walk out of here locked arm-in-arm
walk out of here locked arm-in-arm singing Kumbaya and some new-age hippy
singing Kumbaya and some new-age hippy
singing Kumbaya and some new-age hippy lovefest that ain’t gonna happen I think
lovefest that ain’t gonna happen I think
lovefest that ain’t gonna happen I think here’s what I’m going to ask and I’m
here’s what I’m going to ask and I’m
here’s what I’m going to ask and I’m going to I think we should start small
going to I think we should start small
going to I think we should start small be good to the cashiers in your life at
be good to the cashiers in your life at
be good to the cashiers in your life at the coffee shop and at the auto parts
the coffee shop and at the auto parts
the coffee shop and at the auto parts store at the grocery store at the gas
store at the grocery store at the gas
store at the grocery store at the gas station see that’s someone’s mom or
station see that’s someone’s mom or
station see that’s someone’s mom or their brother or their son or their wife
their brother or their son or their wife
their brother or their son or their wife or their daughter right see them as you
or their daughter right see them as you
or their daughter right see them as you want others to see you as a person
want others to see you as a person
want others to see you as a person worthy of respect and time and energy
worthy of respect and time and energy
worthy of respect and time and energy and love actually don’t just be good to
and love actually don’t just be good to
and love actually don’t just be good to your cashiers be exceptionally good and
your cashiers be exceptionally good and
your cashiers be exceptionally good and see you and me all of us in here all of
see you and me all of us in here all of
see you and me all of us in here all of us being exceptionally good and kind to
us being exceptionally good and kind to
us being exceptionally good and kind to all of the cashiers in our lives that is
all of the cashiers in our lives that is
all of the cashiers in our lives that is what’s going to change the world thank
what’s going to change the world thank
what’s going to change the world thank you very much
you very much
you very much [Music]
[Music]
[Music] you
”
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