A pledge is a promise or vow to commit to an idea or action. Do you know there is a pledge for all that every American needs to honor?
In August of 1892, the American socialist preacher Francis Bellamy wrote the Pledge of Allegiance. Bellamy hoped that the pledge he had written would help to unify all citizens in the US and any other country.
What exactly does the final version of the Pledge of Allegiance say?
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
and to the republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Do you know what these powerful words actually mean?
When we say these words, we are promising to support our country as one indivisible (or undivided) nation. Also, we are staying that we support liberty and justice for every American.
Recently, too many Americans have forgotten what this pledge they have recited hundreds of times means. When lawmakers deviate from constituents’ individual desires, these Americans protest whatever they do not like and throw public tantrums by doing crazy things, like assaulting lawmakers in restaurants and other public places.
But protesting is not the best way to get what you want! It also does not honor the word “indivisible” in the pledge.
What can you do instead of protesting to be more effective as a human being? How can you enable others to understand what you need, agree with you, and work with you to meet your needs?
As Dale Carnegie wrote in his book How to Win Friends and Influence People, there are ways to influence people to understand your point of view and ways not to do that. He wrote that there are three fundamental techniques for handling people who do not agree with you.
- First, do not criticize, condemn, or complain. Criticizing, complaining, or condemning others will never enable you to get what you want. Human nature does not like to admit fault. So when you criticize others, they rarely respond well and will most likely resent you. Protesting is the strongest form of complaining!
- Second, use the powerful tool of appreciation. Appreciation is one of the most powerful tools in the world. People do not work at their maximum potential under criticism, but honest appreciation brings out their best. So if you disagree with others and want them to listen to your side, find something to thank them for.
- Third, work with others to get what you want. To get what you want from others, you must forget your own perspective and think about things from their point of view. When you can combine your desires with their perspectives, the opposition becomes eager to work with you. Then and only then, can you work together to achieve your desires.
Do you feel you are not getting what you want politically? Instead of protesting, perhaps you should consider alternative behaviors that create unity and also will enable you to achieve your goal of being heard and understood!
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Yes, every American has the right to protest anything that he or she does not agree with. But I challenge every American to honor the Pledge of Allegiance as a pledge for all and work together to achieve goals instead of protesting.
P.S.—This writer disagrees with much of what has been going on in US politics, but she believes in working with people, not against people, to improve life for everyone.
Let the encouraging words in these near a river posts help you
soar like an eagle above life’s storms.