Yesterday was the first time I truly appreciated the power of social network.
The network that we use for our social posts and to call out bad behavior.
The network that we use for silly jokes. Cue cucumber tales.
The network that we use to share the pain and joy of our day-to-day.
Our support network.
Our challenge network.
The one where we have each other’s backs.
The one where we cry on each other’s shoulders.
The one where we celebrate each other’s successes.
Our network. Our tribe.
For sure, we use it for work. Extensively.
We use it to amplify our clients’ messages. Product launches. Events.
But for many of us, while work may be the reason why we start, it’s not the reason why we stay.
We stay for the friendship.
We stay for the tribe.
We stay for the good and the bad. For better and for worse.
We stay for the tears. For the joy and the laughter.
And yesterday was the day I feel the power of our tribe.
Our collective compassion.
Our collective humanity.
It started with a tweet from Anand Sanwal, asking people to make a donation to Pratham USA Covid Relief. In return, he would match the donation up to $10k.
Like others, I pitched in. Then I shared Anand’s post on Twitter, and urged my network - my friends - to do the same.
Within hours, many stepped up.
And some shared stories of lives lost; of loved ones who left us too early.
Through grief, we support each other.
Through empathy, we appeal to human kindness.
With strength, we use the network for good.
The money raised will not bring the lives back; nor will it heal our broken hearts.
But it will give someone else a fighting chance.
A daughter or a son. A mother or a father. A wife or a husband. A grandmother or a grandfather.
A loved one.
We cannot turn back time and change history.
But we have the power in our hands to write a different narrative.
Together, we can make an active choice and make the world just a little bit better.
And for that, I am grateful.
For you.