The Standard Greeting
We often begin a conversation with ‘Hi, how are you?’ without any interest in an answer. Sometimes, we are shocked when the person responds with honesty and vulnerability.
A New Greeting
One Iroquois tribe begins their conversations with a phrase that translates to ‘Gladly, we must work together.’ This greeting gives a specific invitation for partnership and enjoyment.
The Greeting Challenge
This Native American greeting challenges our desire to be self-sufficient individuals. We are reminded that we become our best in a community, a community created by the people we meet along our path, a community of our family, friends, and neighbours.
Mind the Greeting
‘Gladly, we must work together’ should run through our minds every time we shake hands, bump elbows, or smile at someone. We should look for the joy in every relationship. Every relationship is a partnership. Together, we can partner to do things we are powerless to do alone.
Partner with People with Joy
We share our towns and cities with people who have different convictions than we do. Even when people are different from us, we can work together gladly. No matter what our background or beliefs, we all share in the same human condition. People and partnerships should spark joy as we work together to build a community where every person can flourish.
