Clear vision trumps fear. Vision causes fear to release its hold on our psyche. It releases us, emotionally, from those past events that keep us from making wise decisions and taking positive action. It keeps history from repeating itself. In l933 Franklin D. Roosevelt knew the nation was gripped by fear and uncertainty about the future. People felt powerless, helpless and hopeless during the era of the Great Depression. When he spoke those ten simple words, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” he sparked an immediate shift in the consciousness of the nation. This shift rallied the American people to get behind his domestic programs that eventually pulled the country back up onto its feet. Hope and optimism were once again restored, and the nation realigned itself, with faith, under its visionary leader.
Vision connects people at the emotional and spiritual levels. Vision provides hope for a better tomorrow. It inspires us to feel positive, and to take action working together to achieve a common goal. Visionary Politics is about political leadership speaking to and uniting our country behind a vision and values that encompass the challenges, opportunities, sacrifice and potential needed to move the country forward. Even though there may be differences about how to achieve the vision once it is stated, if the vision is strong, if it integrates common values, and if it is communicated authentically and consistently so all citizens can understand it, these differences become secondary, and are more easily resolved.
Vision inspires us to become proactive rather than reactive. Politicians who are proactive with their vision-based actions instill a sense of hope in people. They invoke the spirit in all citizens. When we instill fear or react out of fear, we invoke conflict, negativity, and partisanship, eventually leading to a nation of stagnation, such as we have witnessed in recent years. A strong vision, on the other hand, gives power back to the people. People can use this power to achieve the vision, and as a measuring stick to gauge the performance of their representatives locally and in Washington. When power is restored to the people, the nation will once again begin to move forward in a positive direction.
When politicians act under egotistical drivers and personal agendas, we the people tend to follow suit. We become cynical, complacent, and calloused as we lose hope in the future of the nation. We become more concerned with our personal interest, and demand that only our needs be fulfilled. We lose sight of what the nation, as a whole, needs most. A unified vision aligns people under a common cause, and people feel they are part of something greater than themselves, fostering the transcendence of our egos, while adopting a new attitude of willingness to sacrifice, serve, and contribute. That sense of purpose, along with an attitude of joy and fulfillment, are the keystones of a truly democratic society.
Traits of a True Visionary
History provides us with many examples of actions prompted by vision. The founders of our nation demonstrated resiliency of will and spirit, courage and selfless action. They placed their own lives on the line for a cause far greater than their own personal gain. In declaring independence from a country that treated its colonists unfairly, they encouraged men and women to begin a new journey. The core value of that revolution still rings strong today – freedom. Their selflessness kept the citizens of the new nation committed, even in times when it looked like the cause was lost. The spirit of our founders and the people united under a common vision finally persevered, securing our freedom for centuries to come.
From historical examples, we can glean some of the traits of compelling visions. The great visionaries of our nation were all for something – a cause far greater than any one individual, including themselves. They didn’t spend all their time criticizing the actions of others, but rather, they took a stand, made a declaration, and spoke out about how things could be. They inspired a nation to take action for a noble cause. They didn’t keep us focused on the past, clinging to fearful scenarios and worrying whether or not our neighbors were going to turn on us. Rather, they united us by painting a picture of how we could all thrive under a new vision. The visionaries of our nation’s past were not afraid to make bold declarations that may at first have appeared unpopular, or disrupted the status quo. They had the courage to place themselves on the line for the right cause and take right action, regardless of the ramifications.
Martin Luther King Jr. stood up for what was right. His vision of equality rang out across the nation and around the world when he said, “I have a dream.” Millions, upon hearing these words, felt inspired to take action for a cause much greater than themselves. Some people claim that as a leader of the civil rights movement, he caused unrest and violent outbreaks throughout the South, eventually leading to his own death. Freedom does not come without struggle and this cause was not in vein. Today, millions share the freedoms deserved by every citizen, thanks to his selfless actions, and the commitment and actions of those who supported this movement. Far more people have opportunities and share a much deeper sense of unity. Despite his tragic death, the movement is still alive with many inspired leaders seeking out those pockets of inequality and ensuring that all Americans share the same rights.
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