We exchanged a few pleasantries and off I went to continue my day, noting how nice it would be to arrive back at work without greasy fingers.
Throughout the rest of the day, my mind kept wandering back to that moment. It was quite amazing, actually. My Harley buddies barely said a word to each other as they each took on a task. One offered me a hand as I dismounted and steadied the front of the bike. Another held the back of the bike and lifted it when it came time to test the repair work so the tire could spin. The third released and repositioned the grimy chain and turned the pedal when it came time to verify all was fixed. It was as though they had rehearsed their actions to a point of near perfection. So, how did these three people coordinate effortlessly without having a discussion?
As I shared this story with my colleagues, one person pointed out that Harley riders have developed a culture where they will always stop for a biker who needs help. While I am no motorcycle mechanic, I am pretty certain that there are different and more complex steps to repairing a Harley. But there is a strong sense of “we’re in it together.” That was it. That was the vibe I was trying to identify that came so easily and naturally to these men.
We’re in it together.
Sure, I could have fixed my own chain. But it would have taken three times as long. And I know from experience that it can be tricky to lift the back wheel while cranking the pedal to confirm that the chain is properly set – typically I skip this step, risking a new jam. Thank you, Harley buddies!
We’re in it together.
That simple idea not only brought a smile to my face and saved a few minutes of time, but it created a vibe that stayed with me.
As I pondered this, I realized that this vibe is one of my favorite aspects of being a part of the Urban Ecology Center community. Our contributing members and volunteers remind us every day that we’re not doing this important work alone. Volunteers contributed nearly half a million dollars worth of their time to the work of the Center last year. Everyone on staff has a story of when someone in our community has stepped forward at a critical moment to offer support.
Imagine what could be achieved if everyone truly held themselves to this understanding. What would happen to crime, segregation, oppression, pollution or exploitation if, instead of thinking “what’s in it for me,” we thought “we’re in it together.” It can be a powerful way of thinking – graceful, efficient, heart-warming.
We are surrounded by people who understand that we are all in it together.
It isn’t hard to approach life’s challenges this way. Whether working with one person or thousands, giving one dollar or millions, the approach works. So, in this season of thankfulness, let’s celebrate. We’re in it together and together we can make a difference.
