Un is an interesting prefix that’s been on my mind lately. Beyond those words that automatically include it at the beginning of their structure (e.g., under, uniform, uncle), un is a prefix that when added to certain words (e.g., adjectives or participles), it changes their meaning completely. Un represents an absence of something; a state of being or the opposite of something else. You could say that un, as a prefix, is anything but unremarkable. So why bring up this rather unassuming prefix? Why put it under scrutiny now?
Well, recent changes in the political winds in the US have had an undeniable effect on the social psyche. I bet that you’d be hard-pressed to find someone unfazed by what transpired. Words like unbelievable, unconscionable, uncomprehending, unconstitutional, unreal, undone, and a host of others have flooded social media, opinion pieces, and undoubtedly a great number of email inboxes.
Yes, it was a very surreal event that many have been unable to process. How an unrepentant, unprincipled, and unprepared individual could reach such a high office – twice – is something that will baffle bookies and historians for generations. More importantly, this somewhat unexpected turn of events (somewhat in that there were signs warning of its arrival) has cast a pall on the future of, well, everything. The ramifications of this evolution (better yet, mutation) will affect people pretty much everywhere. It may well be that the choice we made as a country to underwrite nationalism as a separate entity devoid of any obligation towards helping others for the benefit of this planet will be proven to be not only unimaginative and unpredictable, but undeniably disastrous.
So it’s understandable that people are scared and confused. Some are even unsure about how to proceed with their lives. For the unambiguous nature of that outcome – brought about by the very mechanism of our democracy – made them feel as though they no longer understand who we are as a nation. It’s left them underwhelmed; unsettled and unprepared for what happens next.
So if you are one of those flummoxed individuals, then may I present to you the most important un in this commentary:
Underestimation.
You’re underestimating the determination and force of character that resides within you. Sure; perhaps it was the uncaring or undecided attitude about the entire election process that got us to this point; only you can answer that. But that was yesterday’s you. I’m addressing the unassailable you; that scrappy individual you’ve always relied on when the chips were down. The fighter in you whose ability to bounce back from any challenge you admired most; that you relied on most. That inner character who speaks to you when you’re looking in the mirror doubting who or what you are and it tells you, in no uncertain terms, to get your shit together.
That you.
Understand this: Nothing is impossible when you underscore it with hope. Nothing is unattainable when you aim for it with the unshakeable belief that it’s already yours. No one is unreachable unless you choose not to understand where they were yesterday, how they got here today, and where they want to be tomorrow. Unity is not given prominence by any one thing, belief, race, or age. The uncontrovertible truth is that unity signifies unanimity – the ability for the differences in each of us to work together in harmony; to find consensus instead of conflict; to find ways to close the rage gap before we all fall into an unending chasm of hatred and unnecessary destruction.
So, think about how you’d like to undertake your journey into 2025 and beyond. Will it be a mission that’s undaunted or uninteresting? Undeterred or understated? Understood or unconvinced? Unassailable or unremarkable?
Some food for thought; until the next time…
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