Everyday people honoring people everyday Acknowledge U is a project to create connection and relatedness in our communities - where we live and work, in our schools and families, any community - by acknowledging others. This can be as simple as acknowledging someone else's presence with a wave or letting then go ahead of you, or more personal by telling someone you know how much the make a difference to you. The point is we get so consumed in our busy lives that we forget that other people are humans. We cut them off (on the roads or in conversations), we're quick to judge or criticize others, we become cynical and resigned that things don't get any better and no one cares. We're building momentum for a global Acknowledgment Marathon – to acknowledge as many people as possible in 24 hours - on October 25, 2008, USA Today’s National Make a Difference Day. See our Events for more information. Participants are encouraged to acknowledge people that they would not typically acknowledge: People who they don’t know or people who they see regularly, such as neighbors, co-workers or classmates but they have never taken the time to make an introduction. The “acknowledged” individuals can be encouraged to spread the acknowledgment by acknowledging others. With email and the internet we can easily reach anyone, anywhere in the world. That's how easy it can be to change the world in a day.
If you're on Facebook, join the Acknowledge U group to show your support: 1 Million Making a Difference by Acknowledging Others
Neighbors don’t know one another. Kids in school stick to their groups or some kids aren’t welcome in any group. We don’t take the time to know our colleagues at work. We don’t talk to family members. But somehow we have opinions of people we don’t know and we’re quick to be critical and judgmental. Our daily conversations revolve around being cynical and resigned; there’s an absence of acknowledgement and seeing the value of others and ourselves.
By acknowledging others we create a connection and relatedness that didn't exist previously such that people take on greater awareness of the contribution, however small, of others and themselves. The act of acknowledging someone has an impact on both individuals.
How about stopping one act of violence in the workplace or at a school?
How about saving one teen's life because he/she no longer feels isolated or shunned?
What is two neighbors found out that they share common interests and form a friendship?
What if two community groups were able to resolve long-standing differences and solve a community problem?
What if two world leaders acknowledged one another and a conflict came to a halt?
Or, maybe we simply build stronger relationships with those around us. That alone would be a victory over the past.
The alternative is that our communities and families continue to grow apart.
How can we acknowledge someone? Keep it simple. Have fun.
A wave.
Say hi.
Let someone go ahead of you at a store, in a crowd, on the road.
Introduce yourself to someone you see frequently but never have taken the time to say anything other than hi.
Get to know your neighbors.
Thank people or acknowledge people that do little things for you or others so they know that their deeds are noticed.
Let someone close to you know how they make a difference in your life.
Congratulate someone (even if you don't know them) for an achievement or accomplishment.
Tell someone what you see in them that makes them special.
Oh, and if someone acknowledges you, thank them - they have just given you a gift.
