Here’s to the ones who ask “why” openly in meetings because they just can’t tolerate the façade of “doing good.”
Here’s to the ones who ask “why” and are peppered with reactionary questions that reveal the bias of “good enough.”
Here’s to the ones who are learning to ask “why” in classrooms and under trees and in community halls, and those who are encouraging them not to accept “good enough.”
Here’s to the ones that still care about what’s best for people before institutions, whether they’re two months or twenty years into the struggle.
Here’s to the ones who worry they’ll be called arrogant or ignorant or resistant, but speak up anyway.
Their voices may sound repetitive, irritating, critical to some, but they carry this on their hearts: to fundamentally fulfill their duty or to do their job they must speak up even when their voice shakes, and especially when they feel they cannot say the same thing, yet again, one more time.
Love and justice do not require always playing nice. Sometimes one must build a bridge. At other times, burn one down.
Here’s to the ones who cross the line, worried for their job, and the ones who don’t dare utter what they really think or fear or detect or feel. (There is suffering in both.)
The disruptors’ compass is calibrated to where others’ once was, even those who have not faced north for a long while.
They remind us of whom we once were. Even if some can’t bear to look, we need their honesty, their bravery.
The broken records they play may be the mosquito under your net. But to mix in yet one more metaphor, they are the water on the blade of change. Without them, it overheats. Without them, it cannot cut through history’s granite nor today’s styrofoam.
Disruptors, may you be welcomed at more tables and may your questions become so sincere and grounded that they can cut through anything to be deeply understood and acted upon.
May you never be satisfied with “because that’s the way it’s always been done.”
May alternatives and ideas and options flow from you.
May you seek to transform frustration and exasperation into “What if…” and “I wonder…”
May you be able to hear yourself at times, reconnect with your deepest instincts, and know when you are pushing too loud, hard, or fast. May you have the grace to give yourself a break at times, to just listen.
Be a lamp, a lifeboat, or a ladder, says Rumi. Foghorn or bulldozer he did not advise.
May the truths you offer be helpful, necessary, and kind.
May you forge new opportunities for truths to be shared, by everyone.
May you never miss an opportunity for peaceful change. It is a privilege not afforded to all.
May you always find more fuel, even on the days when all seems futile – especially on the days when all seems futile.
Disruptors, may you never shy away from your own integrity.
Sometimes, it is all we have.
It’s an honor to be in this crowd. Thanks for writing this beautiful piece.
THANK YOU for this. It’s truly made my week and it’s an honour to be part of it…
If asking “why” is considered disruptive in the industry, then we have a long way to go before being truly “disruptive”. Thank you this post Jennifer, but it has me worried! 🙂
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En Español, gracias a @txtpablo
http://albordedelcaos.com/2014/11/14/viernes-light-para-los-disruptores/
I admire your resilience in reminding the sector that disruptors matter. Ironic that the business that wants to “change the world”, and “develop others”, is hardly interested in its own change and development. Beautiful post, thanks Jennifer.
Disruptors are often our biggest reality check! I have struggled to remember that myself and to try and ensure that their voices are represented in organisational documentation. Haven’t always succeeded though!
Thanks for a great blog post! I re-blogged it here (with full attribution): http://raisamirza.wordpress.com/2014/11/22/an-ode-to-disruptors-courtesy-of-how-matters/ I might just make a poster out of it for our office (with full attribution of course). I’ll send a photo of the poster if I ever get around to it.
I also added one more, “Here’s to the ones who have asked “why” countless times, only to be told “you won’t understand”, as if their minds are not wide enough to evaluate or understand the thoughts of others.” Thanks so much!
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This, I needed this. This inspires me. This affirms me that it is not I who is crazy but the ones within the social institutional bubble. Never one to fit nicely, like a puzzle piece, with the crowd that forms the picture of indoctrinated conformity from this social bubble. Constantly I am looked on as a freak, weirdo, an oddity. Of course that’s what I see when I look at them. A popular sea of faces, chattering just utter nonsense while outside this bubble, the world is burning, and people are screaming at injustices being enforced onto them through the greed of supremacy we choose to ignore, though we hold up its pillars. And so again, I was asked to the office of my “superior” to discuss the issues about problems like communication and not being efficient. And the thing is its true. I’ve lost my passion to work for the machine, entirely. Usually I find comfort in utilizing structured planning and spontaneous bursts are very uncomfortable for me. Yet, something within refused to be silent and suppressed by my own self. Without a backup plan, without a future image of how to I’d obtain stability, I quit. From my mouth, out of nowhere, I quit and there’s no need for a reference to where I’m heading. My invisible chains of destructive capitalism broke. Though scared but also excited, I haven’t a definite plan carved out. All I know is that there is somewhere I’m needed. Somewhere we all are needed. It calls to me from far in the mountains, the forests. I have responded by taking this unplanned step and I will continue to walk until I reach my destination on the frontlines of resistance. There I will fight for what should never have been taken and then colonized into such a mess. I am not a spectator, I’m a player in this global game of decade zero. Expect us
Another brilliant piece that touches so many places in my soul. Thank you!
“The disruptors’ compass is calibrated to where others’ once was, even those who have not faced north for a long while.”
This is so timely and needed saying Jennifer.
Disruption with purpose for other and respect (as opposed to niceness) seems to be missing from our global discussions and workplaces these days.
The following resonated for me:
– Be a lamp, a lifeboat, or a ladder, says Rumi. Foghorn or bulldozer he did not advise.
– May the truths you offer be helpful, necessary, and kind.
– May you forge new opportunities for truths to be shared, by everyone.
– May you never miss an opportunity for peaceful change. It is a privilege not afforded to all.
Awesome !!!??????? It’s highly inspiring !!