When I was much younger, I developed a connection to the moon. I remember living in Boulder, Colorado and deciding that I would sleep outside every full moon. I did this for a while in Boulder, then in Minocqua, WI, and then Missoula, MT. It was a time for me to be alone, give thanks, and reflect. It was a nice bench mark in the month.

Just the other night, the moon was as close to the Earth as it will be for decades. The Moon appeared 14% bigger and 30% brighter. We had a great view of it Sunday night and although somewhat obstructed on Monday, it still lit up the sky. I felt like I could feel its pull as I laid in my bed, and had a hard time sleeping.

The election that just passed was very divisive. Just like two rival sports teams, America is caught up in an “us vs. them” mentality. Most Americans don’t have any sort of grasp on the “other side’s” perspective, and many don’t even really understand the issues that the politicians are working on. Yet, this has not kept people from fighting.

I think we are better than that. I think we can be like the supermoon; bigger and brighter. Are you up for the challenge?

First things first, stop tearing other people down. Shine brighter. Make a conscious decision to be in a better place and let the light flow out of you. You can’t give up your happiness over something you cannot control, like other people’s opinions. Nobody wants to hear from a whiner over and over again. Be an attractive person who is sincere, playful, and fun loving.

Don’t get me wrong, this does not mean you don’t have to care about important things, but if you want to talk about them, make a connection with your fellow human first and then talk about important issues that affect us all. If you shine bright, you will have more influence over other people and you are more likely to be listened to.

Be bigger. Make sure you don’t assume some sort of moral superiority over others. Be grateful for everything and everyone. If you are an American reading this and needing to heal, remember we are a country known as “the melting pot”. It takes all sorts of opinions and people to make our country great. If you hear something that rubs you the wrong way, be grateful that person feels comfortable enough to share.

It is easy to feel dissatisfied when we expect one thing and get another. I am not just talking about the election results, but anything. Think about someone showing up late. Yes, it is frustrating because there was an agreement broken, but more than that, our mind is upset that we were expecting one outcome and got another. Find what there is to be grateful for and build on that.

Being bigger also means being willing to work together; to absorb information from new sources and honestly give them consideration. Many of my friends tend to resist “regulation”. Being an environmental guy with a background in science I am able to share information with friends that they often weren’t exposed to. For instance when people learn the that EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) enforces the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, not to promote a pretty environmental backdrop for us but rather it uses standards directly based on contaminants affecting human health that can cause us damage (like asthma and cancer), they become a little more concerned when they hear that the EPA is being undermined. I am only considered a credible source to some because I have a rapport with people who have a different viewpoint than me.

So, I challenge you to be the Super Moon. Be brighter and bigger. Make yourself a charismatic person of influence. Be grateful for the opportunity you have. Reach out to those you don’t see eye-to-eye with, even if your first conversation does not create change. Now is your time to shine.

Keep leading,
Rad