Photo from toysrus.com
I watched Toy Story 3 last night and I cried like a baby. Without spoiling the entire movie for you if you haven’t seen it (and you should), there is a scene where the toys are facing certain destruction.
When they realize there is nothing more than can do to save themselves, and they make eye contact with each other. Rather than screaming or scrambling, they resign themselves to the fact that these will be their last moments. In those last moments, they reach out and join hands with each other.
The look in their eyes – a combination of resignation and a need to connect– reminded me of a time I was on a plane on the way to Tyler, Texas. We got stuck in a thunderstorm, and as lightening lit up the plane and it bounced left to right, then rising up and dropping several hundred feet, everyone grew eerily silent. I waited for the screams, and the tears, but I heard nothing.
Instead, hands slowly stretched across aisles as people reached out to each other. Unfortunately, I was seated by the bathroom in a single seat so I just held on to the handle of the bathroom door, but you get the point. Like a chain of human life, everyone just held on and prayed quietly.
As I face the new year and discuss change with you, I am going to really build on the concept of stories found in my soon to be published book called “Real Change, Real People.” I believe the most important part of change is the collection of beating hearts behind it. Ibelieve there are stories out there to which we can all relate, because they capture the human side of change. And I don’t think change works long-term without first respecting the people who are impacted.
Woody and Buzz Lightyear reminded me that no matter how much we strive for success, the fact is that when we face our final demise we want to be connected in a moment of meaning. We are pack animals, and there is energy transferred when we join hands. Our racing, panicked hearts slow down as we realize that we are not alone.
In this new year, I want to reach out a little more, and focus on individual success a little less. I want to tell more stories and connect more hearts. I want to value the people side of change, and remind people that “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB7Msp091CA[/youtube]
3 comments. Leave new
“And I don’t think change works long-term without first respecting the people who are impacted.”
I think this is the most important thing you can say Donna. Our society has degraded to a “ME” process and we (myself included) often forgot the outcome or effects it has on others. My goal is to listen more – really really listen – to others. Slowing down….smelling the roses…call it what ever you want. But we have to pay attention to what and who is around is. They are what makes our lives what they are and we can only learn from each of their stories.
Pam: Thank you! Maybe we need to put one of the toys from Toy Story on our desks just to remind ourselves that people matter more than . . . anything. I’m with you; this year I’m slowing down and paying attention to people. Because, as a friend once said, we’re all in a little bit of pain and we need each other! Thanks for your comments!
I think the big change coming about right now is exactly what you bring up. People are realizing their desire to to feel and connect in a deeper more meaningful way. I think more people are realizing the real value of their time in relation to what is important to them. The corporate structure has developed into a system sucking all the available time out of a persons life I think possible. People see this now more than before. All the advances in technology, systems and equipment has been funneled to investor profits, none is realized by the people involved. Whatever appears to have sparked the disruption of the corporate structure is debatable but the reason is mankind has been pushed up against the wall.
People will change how they trade their time for money, in a more equitable manner, they are coming to value what is more important than trading anything for the dollar.
Speak to us Buzz!