Also, if you’re on Facebook, join the Acknowledge U group – 1 Million Making a Difference by Acknowledging Others – to show your support.

If you came to this blog from the website, you probably want to go to the “Share Ur Stories” page here.

Thanks,
Jack

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

THE PROJECT:

To create connection in our communities through acknowledgement of others. Participants will acknowledge three people: 1 person that they don’t know; 1 person for an accomplishment (e.g.,an award or achievement) or something they’ve done; and 1 person for who they are as a person. Those individuals in turn acknowledge 3 people. Results can be posted to a blog and an event will be held on 10/25/08 (Make a Difference Day) for those willing to share their stories. This will be a global event.

The project addresses the lack of connectedness in our communities, which manifests as resignation and cynicism, despair/depression, impatience/intolerance, bullying and rage, and lack of consideration and common courtesy towards others.

The project will create connection, relatedness and self-expression in the community.

I was in a communications class and the instructor had us do an exercise on acknowledging our partner. Beyond the obvious impact of making someone feel good about something they have done or who they are, the exercise showed the potential to actually inspire another to become aware of, or acknowledge in themselves, the contribution they are to others.