Excerpt from my journal on 03Nov2020…shared via blog on the day of inauguration of President Joe Biden:

Today elections around the USA came to a close. As I was working at a polling location in Indianapolis, I realized and felt a purpose beyond myself that I have not felt often before.

I was helping people live out democracy. The freedom to speak for what you want and demand what you believe is right.

I helped people who voted in the same way I did as well as people who I would disagree with. When I helped each person, I felt the power of democracy.

Even those I disagreed with, I felt the purpose of giving them the chance to make their vote heard. I wanted them to have just as much of a chance to demand what they believe is right…even if I disagree.

This is the power of a purpose beyond yourself. We have something to stand on which unites us.

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This idea of a purpose beyond ourselves recalls to me John Maxwell’s framework of Level 5 Leadership. The most effective leaders are those who lead with a purpose and on principle. We follow them, they follow us, because of who we are and what we are on mission towards. It is not because we have authority, nor because we have their permission, nor because of what we have done for the group or for them. It is because we have respect. Because of what we represent beyond ourselves.