Welcome!

Welcome to Acknowledge U – everyday people honoring people everyday.

 

Have you ever felt like you want to make a difference in the world?  To be a contribution to humanity?  I had some of those fleeting thoughts from time to time.  Too daunting.  How would I ever be able to do THAT?  That’s my hope with Acknowledge U.   The purpose of the project is to create connection and relatedness in our communities – our towns, at work, at school, and in our families – through the acknowledgment of others.  Participation only requires communicating/interacting with another person.  In any community.  Any where.  It has no bounds, so why not see how far and wide we can spread acknowledgement?  Maybe the impact will be felt around the world.

 

Neighbors don’t know one another.  Kids in school stick to their groups or some kids aren’t welcome in any group. We don’t take the time to know our colleagues at work.  We don’t talk to family members.  But somehow we opinions of people we don’t know and we’re quick to be critical and judgmental.   Our daily conversations revolve around being cynical and resigned; there’s an absence of acknowledgement and seeing the value of others and ourselves.

 

The premise of the project is straightforward: by acknowledging others we create a connection and relatedness that didn’t exist previously such that people take on a greater awareness of the contributions of others and of themselves.  The act of acknowledging someone has an impact on both individuals.

 

Acknowledgement can be done in many ways.  A wave, letting someone go ahead of you, saying hi, introducing yourself to someone new, congratulating someone for an achievement, sharing your heart, expressing what you see in another, or thanking them for making a difference in your life.

 

Here’s what’s at stake:

 

How about saving one teen’s life because he/she no longer feels isolated or shunned?

 

What if two neighbors actually find out that they have common interest and form a friendship?

 

How about stopping one act of violence in the workplace or at a school?

 

What if two communities groups were able to resolve long-standing differences?

 

What if two world leaders acknowledged one another and a conflict came to a halt?

 

Or, maybe we will simply build stronger relationship with those around us.  That alone would be a victory over the past.

 

The alternative is that our communities and families continue to grow apart and that rates of depression and violence increase.

 

The project was to kick off on September 27 at the Delaware Township (New Jersey) Community Day.  Unfortunately, mother nature dealt a blow and the event was cancelled due to rain (hey, we really needed it anyway).  It hasn’t dampened our spirits, however.  We’re continuing to build momentum for a global Acknowledgement Marathon – to acknowledge as many people as possible in 24 hours – on October 25, 2008, USA Today’s National Make a Difference Day.  Participants are encouraged to acknowledge people that they would not typically acknowledge:   People who they don’t know or people who they see regularly, such as neighbors, co-workers or classmates but they have never taken the time to make an introduction.  The “acknowledged” individuals can be encouraged to spread the acknowledgement by acknowledging others. 

Please check out the other pages on this blog for additional information, to register your participation and to share stories.

Thanks,

Jack

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