The Strength of Many

Wow. You know sometimes you read something, watch a movie, or see something happen right in front of your eyes and your sort of left speechless?

It can be a powerful thing, a meaningful (deep happiness) thing, or sometimes a thing that was so crazy, you are in awe.

This makes me think of the ending of the avengers: infinity war movie.. SPEECHLESS.

Earlier today, I was checking my email, something that I do every day or so. I opened an email with a subject line Nutrition, etc. that I thought may have something to do with school. It also had a yellow bar next to it, so gmail apparently knew it was important..

To introduce the sender quickly, this came from an organization, Education +, that I met in Nicaragua, when I went down there with my Dad for a mission trip as part of my senior year of school. This was such a blast to experience, and my fingers speed up typing now from the excitement of thinking about it. I was able to help some of the kids down there, by working on "fixing", building up parts of a school that was down there and full of happy, gracious, joyful kids. These kids were balls of energy, and literally, by that I mean they were each like the sun. Warm, full of vibrance, joy, and so much smiling.. I can't believe the joy I experienced helping them and playing with the kids, running, chasing, yelling, and laughing. I do not speak spanish, they do not speak english, but that day I feel, we both spoke the same language of smiling, laughter and joy.

Education + was an organization that we encountered on our later days of the trip (1 week long trip). They were also another school, similar to the one that I spent most of my week at, and mentioned above. This organization however, was run mostly by charity and people who had volunteered time, and the owners, their life, most of which were from different countries that are well off compared to living conditions in Nicaragua. I was enlightened to see college aged kids working there for extended "internships" up to a year, and I met some young people from Germany that were staying there for a year, teaching and feeding the kids. This was something that I remember stuck out to me, people from halfway across the world, donating a "chunk" of their life (because when you're 20, a year feels like a huge part of your life right?). In all seriousness, I thought this was so cool, and really heartwarming. They not only provide education free of charge for the kids in a region where the average family cannot afford to send their kids to school, but they also feed them, as usually the family again may not be able to provide food. Most importantly, what I saw, and definitely the idea you get from this place, is that they provide them love.

What do you think of when you see a child playing, a big smile on their face, laughter coming from their heart?

Think about how it feels to be in that state, twirling around with joy, laughter, and peace.

I saw this many times as children were holding backpacks, the hands of other children while playing, or just smiling back at you as you smiled at them.

Now back to the email: I opened it due to the nutrition subject line begging my attention.

As we all are aware of, corona virus has altered the way the whole world is operating, as has been a force for change, fear, and uncertainty in the past couple of months. This is something that has affected ALL of us in some way, and foremost, my thoughts go out to you and anyone affected to experience robust health, peace, and joy during this time.

As for the body, "the meat and potatoes" quite literally of this email, was the part that has left me in a state of combined awe, gratitude, and empathy.

As to leave it best said from the sender, some of it read as follows;

First and foremost, we are relieved and grateful to announce that Profesor Luis, has been released from the hospital.  He is currently resting and recuperating at home.

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When Coronavirus reared its head in Nicaragua in March, we quickly moved to stop regular classes and start a weekly dry food distribution.  We did this knowing that some of the food we sent home with the children would end up being shared with their entire family.  We faced the existential question, "What is worse?  Going mostly hungry or being the only one well-fed while watching your parents and siblings starve?"  That is a question that is impossible to answer on anyone's behalf.  In the end it came down to the fact that serving hot meals to children daily on-site was no longer a safe option, since it would have been impossible for us to accommodate over 300 children per day at our center while maintaining social distancing guidelines.

The results, however, have been visible. Recently we have noted significant weight loss in many of our children, especially the older boys.  This signifies that in many households, the only food coming in for the entire family is what their child or children bring home from Education Plus.

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Current environment: [As long as "express burials" and full hospitals are the norm in Nicaragua]

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Lastly,

refraining from going out in public since March, the current leadership [Sandinista Government] continues to deny that there is a Coronavirus problem in Nicaragua, citing 8 deaths directly or indirectly due to Coronavirus, and just over 300 deaths in hospitals recently due to pneumonia.  While the Nicaraguan economy technically remains open, many businesses have voluntarily or involuntarily closed their doors. For sure, the children are facing a scary time in their lives right now. Now is the time for us to say to them: when times are uncertain, Education Plus will be there to help you.  We will not let you go hungry.

Wow. I don't know about you, but I need to take a moment to pause, think, and breathe after reading that. To add more insult to injury, the article linked on express burials can show the fear, the atrocities that us humans, can too produce.

So, you might be asking yourself why I titled this post, Strength of many?

Before I answer that, I want you to notice and look at what you are feeling. Is it gratitude? Sadness? Empathy? A mixture of those, and maybe a slew of others?

Really focus in and realize why you feel the way you do. Do you care for others, even if you don't know them? Do you want to see others happy, and not in pain ( or you may say maybe not so much for the president, and his wife, the vice president who haven't been seen!) What is the reason you feel the way you do after reading these letters on a page? You haven't seen any of these people or met them?..

If you feel for the people mentioned in the email, this feeling, this attraction, is what I call The Strength of many.

This is something that all of humans have, a need for connection, protection, and supporting others. Some may live it out more than others, or in different ways. This can be done in ways of volunteering for an organization like Education plus, the act of comforting someone, or by participating in part of a community. I consider you guys part of my community, that I am thankful to have.

What I want us to gain from this is the power in The Strength of Many is something is always around, but can be used in a multitude of ways, depending on the group consensus and the way leaders of said groups will "steer the boat". I think we have two great examples above with the stark differences of impact that the Sandinista Government and Education plus are having on the children, families, and country. Same location, same country, vastly different uses of The Strength of Many!

Now what can we do with this information? Learning about The Strength of Many is great, but knowledge without action is just information in our heads!

Notice what made the differences in the two communities above in Nicaragua:

Contribution and Attitude.

Both the Sandinista Government and Education plus (many other similar organizations) made contributions to the Nicaraguan community. The contributions may be polar opposites it seems, but they both gave something in the form of action to the people who's home is Nicaragua.

Next, the attitude, and in this case response to the current environment and pandemic that is spreading among the population is apparent among both examples. Again this could not be any more different than night and day!

Our contribution, what we give, the action we take, has an impact far more powerful than we think on the communities that we find ourselves in. Think of a time when you gave something to someone, it could be an object, money, or time. Think of how they felt or responded to this, especially if it was given in good nature. Now think of how you felt!

This should bring up feelings that are special to you. If the recipient was having let's just say, "a bad day" when they responded to you, then I would bet you are still happy you gave, or did something for them!

Contribution is powerful, it matters, it impacts the community, or even one person on another level than what we thought we knew.

What are some ways that you can contribute to your community and use The Strength of Many for good? Why is this important to you?

Write this down somewhere easily on a note pad, journal, or on your computer!

Our attitude, what we say, our perspective, is the power to control our response to events. This is the difference between being subject to life, and life being a subject in your life. What are some attitudes you may have noticed around you that make you feel, perform, and live better? It may be the friend, mentor, or teacher you will always remember who said that one thing, shifting your outlook on things to a more positive, beneficial perspective. Was there ever a time in life where you could look back and say "whew, I'm glad that didn't work out?" I'm sure all of us have those points in our lives! If these aren't apparent enough, just think about the difference it makes to be around that co-worker who complains and gripes all the time! I'm sure during that time, you notice what a difference it can make on the environment!

So now that you know the power of attitude (or lack of it), what are some ways that you can use your attitude, outlook, and response in your community to help shape it in a positive way? Why is this important to you?

Write this down somewhere easily where you will see it; computer, notes on your iPhone, journal.

To bring it all in; You always have the power of The Strength of Many in your hands. Whether it is just you or multitudes, you control what your community will experience by your contribution and attitude. Now the last and maybe most important question is, what can you do NOW increase the joy, gratitude, and connection in your community?

Write this down, take action, commit to doing it.

A way to bring up and experience the true power in The Strength of Many at anytime:

What would you consider most important in your community? Connection, supporting someone, being part of the reason someone smiles, contribution to a better world, helping someone grow, love?

What are your reasons? Experience them, bring them in, and then ACT on it!

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Ryan Bresnahan

ryanbresnahanfitness.com

Wow! I had a fun time writing this, it is great example of how one thing, someones attitude and contribution totally changed my day and attitude for the better. Hopefully this did the same, and the ripple effect continues!

Education plus, Nicaragua website can be found here:

https://eduplusnicaragua.org/