When we think of commemorating landmark days in history, we look at major anniversaries like 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100+ years after the fact. Did you ever wonder why we don't make as big a deal over the 794th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta or the upcoming 146th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address this November 19th?
So why have we been making such a big deal over a 40th anniversary? Were the events of the Summer of 1969 that spectacular?
They were if you spend time watching our current media! Apparently the 40 year anniversary of the Summer of 69 (aside from having been a hit song by Bryan Adams) is significant in commemorating some major events: the first moon landing (July 20th), the Manson Family Tate/LaBianca murders (August 8th) and the Woodstock Festival (August 15th - August 18th). I consider it something of an honor to have been born during that same eventful summer (August 12th) and shared a special, low-key 40th anniversary of my own this week with my family this past week. And yes...those are actually 40 candles in 5 dixie-cup sized ice cream cakes in the picture!
I remember staring at the 40 lights on my "cakes" and couldn't help but think that while it's good to be able to look at our past as a means of helping us avoid the same mistakes as we navigate through our present into our future. Is there something we might be missing? At what point are we crossing the line from being reflective to just distracting ourselves from the real issues we face today?
I then blew out the candles...it was probably nothing.
Or was it? I've been finding it harder lately to just sit back as social injustices continue to proliferate as change seems to be happening on a global scale - but at a much quicker pace than before. I felt compelled to speak out even more this month with my article Ending Slavery in the U.S. and Abroad.
Perhaps my wife (and fellow TNNW writer), Wendy, has been rubbing off on me. My quiet, unassuming, introverted Wendy this week organized (with the help of a few Facebook/Twitter contacts) the first ever National Kiss-In for Equality in Philadelphia (there were others in other cities). The picture is us with our boys at Love Park.
Then again, it might be the influence of my revolutionary-minded, never-bashful, blood-brother-in-arms and business partner Douglas Castle, who has been hitting especially hard with his articles of late - see this week's Be Somebody - Or Be Nobody.
Yes...revolution is definately in the air...two former Bureau Chiefs make their debuts this week as they unveil their new columns. Peter Biadasz, our very first Bureau Chief joins us as a Featured Columnist with The Write to Excite; especially for those who like (or would like) to enhance their networking with writing. Last (but definately not least is one of our Alaska contingent: Stefanie Gorder with SnapShot; a monthly trip across the U.S.
We at TNNW are committed to positive change...are you? Awareness is the first step, and the choice is yours...will you choose to remain distracted by the pretty lights or will you actually see the light?
And just to show you that we haven't forgotten our networking roots, we still co-sponsor my friend, Thomas Carmada's Ultimate Networking Event. If you're going to be in Philadelphia on August 25th, you don't want to miss it - this time it will be at Ladder 15 at 1528 Sansom Street (between 15th and 16th streets) in Center City from 6:00pm to 9:30pm. For more information, please click here.
As always, I look forward to Networking with you,
Adam
For more about Adam J. Kovitz, please click here.
Hire Adam to speak at your next conference or event by emailing info@thenationalnetworker.com.
Follow Adam on Twitter!
Published by THE NATIONAL NETWORKER Newsletter. All rights reserved. Subscribe Free - Click HERE.
The National Networker Companies
Forward/Share This Article With Colleagues And Social Media:
1 comment:
Happy 40th. I'm a little more than 2 years away. I have much to do to get there.
Post a Comment