Elaine Parke is so dismayed about the noxious nature of today’s American culture that she’s devoted much of her life to trying to heal it. Only once before have we been so divided, she notes, but this time, the dangerous weapons are words. Just a glance at social media makes it clear that self-interest, intolerance, and incivility are simply accepted as the new rules of engagement.
More than blaming the dehumanizing effects of technology, Parke also blames our forefathers. “The roots of America’s self-rights driven strife stretch back 245 years,” says Parke, author of The Habits of Unity: 12 Months to a Stronger America… one citizen at a time (Outskirts Press, 2021, ISBN: 978-1-9772-4276-1, $19.95, www.12habits4allofus.org). “Why? Because our founders created a Bill of Rights—but they failed to create a Bill of Responsibilities.”
Their emphasis on individual rights was understandable, she adds. After all, they were rebelling against the tyranny of the English Crown.
“Still and all, because they emphasized rights and ignored responsibilities, the call to democracy has remained out of balance for all these years,” she says. “And, now, we’re circling the drain.”
It’s just common sense, says Parke: To be a healthy nation, citizens, as individuals, must unite around the daily practice of democratic ideals. This doesn’t mean we all think alike. It does mean we treat others with dignity, respect, and kindness. These are our patriotic responsibilities.
Parke wants The Habits of Unity to inspire readers of all races, cultures, orientations, and beliefs to uplift themselves, others, and our national climate. The book gives readers a simple, doable, one-month-at-a time framework for practicing unity that simultaneously improves mental health. (“Yes, good citizenship and mental wellness go hand in hand!” she says.)
Specifically, it offers 365 “one-magic-minute-a-day” motivationals, grouped and color-coded, to help the reader form one good habit per month:
January: Gentle Aqua - Help Others
February: WOW Fuchsia - You Count!
March: Dove Gray - Resolve Conflicts
April: Spring Green - Take Care of Our Environment
May: Grateful Pink - Be Grateful
June: JOLT Orange - Reach Higher!
July: Patriot Red - Become Involved
August: Thoughtful Blue - Know Who You Are
September: Award Gold - Do Your Best
October: Slow-Down Lavender - Be Patient and Listen
November: Sunny Yellow - Show a Positive Attitude
December: EVER-Green - Celebrate Community, Family, and Friends
Parke’s dream is for the book to spark a unity revolution across various groups—communities, workplaces, schools, etc.—that rises from the ground up and sweeps across the nation.
It just might happen: She has an impressive history of creating solutions that work. An MBA, an inventor, and former corporate executive, she redirected her focus because she wanted to motivate people to get along better. Parke has waged this 12-month campaign in schools and communities for 30 years via radio, TV, posters, flyers, in-school programs, and group events.
The campaign reached several million people in western Pennsylvania with results evaluated by nine independent studies. Overall, 72 percent of surveyed citizens said they felt more connected to others. Thirty-seven percent said they’d improved their behaviors. Student conflicts were reduced, and academics improved. It was deemed a social invention by the London Institute.
The Habits of Unity: 12 Months to a Stronger America…one citizen at a time is Parke’s next step to going forward toward rebuilding the core fabric of our democracy.
“As citizens of our democracy, beyond voting and obeying the laws, we are also obliged to treat one another with dignity, make an effort to be our ‘best selves’ in our own lives, and to cherish our children and our earth,” she states. “My new book, and the colorful framework behind it, is my endeavor to make it both easier and more pleasant to live up to those responsibilities.”
Parke admits she’s been accused of espousing “pie in the sky” ideas, but vehemently disagrees. The habit-forming nature of the book—combined with today’s power of social media—makes it an incredibly down-to-earth framework for strengthening unity in America.
“When readers take The Habits of Unity home and begin their ‘one-minute-a day’ habit building adventures, their lives and outlooks will brighten,” she promises. “They will naturally feel motivated to use social media to share the colorful monthly messages with others. Together, we can all play a vital role in helping overcome the pain of a divided America with the power of goodness.”
# # #
About The Author:
Elaine Parke, MBA, CS, CM, NSA is the author of The Habits of Unity: 12 Months to a Stronger America….one citizen at a time. For 30 years her scalable and evidence-driven 12 habits of social unity model has transformed several million community citizens and youth across the USA’s Midwest and in Rwanda, helping them feel more caring and connected to one another. In 1993, her monthly-branded and colorful habit-forming model was deemed a “Social Invention” by the London Institute for Social Inventions.
Parke spent 25 years fine-tuning her mass-market media skills in corporate America. Then, in 1987, she redirected her focus to helping people get along better. Her first book Join the Golden Rule Revolution - Practice One Habit Each month of the Year was published in 2001. She has won many awards and recognitions for her work.
Parke is certified in public speaking, violence prevention, conflict management, and mediation, as well as meditation, and has been a popular speaker in her field of driving health and positive social and civic engagement with managed media strategies. She been an occasional guest-marketing lecturer at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health and Carnegie Mellon University. To learn more, please visit www.12habits4allofus.org.
About the Book:
The Habits of Unity: 12 Months to a Stronger America… one citizen at a time (Outskirts Press, 2021, ISBN: 978-1-9772-4276-1, $19.95, www.12habits4allofus.org) is available at bookstores nationwide and from major online booksellers.
No comments:
Post a Comment