The power of one

Photo: Contributed

Kelowna videographer John Thiessen is proof that one person can make a difference.

My COVID excuse is about to expire.

I used the opportunity offered by the restrictions to go deep within myself and question my “why” and the way I’d been living life.

As restrictions are lifted and I contemplate the immanent opening up of life, I want to be mindful about how I re-engage with the world.

2020 was heralded as the year of clear and perfect vision and, for me, it didn’t disappoint.

I’ve seen how hatred begets more hatred, how judgment and separation keep us from understanding what’s different, and the consequences of blindly following without critical thinking.

I’ve watched the destruction that comes when we judge others who differ from us as lacking, stupid, and wrong.

I’ve experienced the understanding that comes when I respectfully connect with others who live differently or hold different view points. I’ve found commonality as I listened to understand instead of prove my point and argue, and to connect with the humanness of others.

An eye-for-an-eye only leaves the world blind, and it’s time to see more clearly. I’ve truly found the benefits of not judging and staying curious.

I’ve learned, ever more deeply, what’s important as the extraneous busyness dropped away. It’s been healing for me and has called me to a more meaningful way of living. People, human caring, and connection are essential to our well being and survival.

As much as there’s been great sadness, division, and fear, I also witnessed the goodness of humanity rising to support one another.

Communities have rallied together like never before. I love the word community, because it’s our common unity, joining together in the most human way that matters the most.

One man in our community, John Thiessen, owner of Engaged Films, has been a leader in inspiring and gathering people to do good and make a positive difference in the lives of many locals.

John’s call to action happened unexpectedly on Nov. 24, 2019, when he saw past the stereotype of homelessness and became a community champion, giving voice to the voiceless, and rallying people to help in a meaningful way.

John believes in adding value to life through meaningful engagement, and used the power of one to give many others the opportunity to help; he’s a man of action.

John’s a humble man who created ripples of goodness that became a tsunami of care. He also organized opportunities at Christmas and Easter to provide for locals whose lives were compromised by the pandemic.

He buoyed up people’s spirits, and gave us hope and meaning in the darkness of what was happening by offering us a way to help others. John constantly reminded his followers to remember the gentle art of kindness, gratitude, and thinking of others.

Our Christmas and Easter of solitude was made so much happier and better because of John’s call to help. It pulled me out of my own navel-gazing and caused me to remember my own ability to serve and how wonderful it feels to contribute meaningfully to help others.

The power of one person, John Thiessen, who looked beyond his own circumstances, identifying a need, and taking action, blessed not only recipients, but each and every person who participated in sharing their good.

We feel better when we remember our common unity, instead of our differences, and reach out to help other people.

We all have something to give, no matter our circumstances. Many of those who were recipients of caring also participated in giving what they could contribute to others. The small ripple grew into a wave and it lifted everyone.

John is a great community leader because, despite having suffered from COVID and its effects, and the economic challenges due to a downturn in his industry, he found his why and a place to find and offer meaning and purpose in the chaos.

John has exemplified the power of one person saying “Yes” and calling others to action.

The value of one second in time is important to John; knowing one second, one choice can make a positive difference in someone’s life. He uses his seconds wisely.

Community engagement saved John during a time of great personal darkness and challenge in his life. He said helping others helped him more than those he supported. It gave him purpose and meaning, and a powerful answer to the ‘why’ of living.

Each of us has been changed by the events of the past 16 months, and let it change us for the better. Consider your why, and what gives your life value and meaning.

Let all we’ve learned change us at depth for the better as we remember the power of one, and the ripple of goodness that became a wave of kindness in our community.

Harness the power of one; it becomes the power of many. Thank you, John.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.