Live United by Ann Austin

 

A few years ago a friend of mine, who was offering some perspective, described a concept called “The Burden of Knowledge.” His description was much lengthier with a variety of helpful examples, but the concept can be summarized as: “An overwhelming feeling of knowing too much.”

If I were presenting this in front of all of you, I would ask for a show of hands for “who feels the burden of knowledge lately?” I do appreciate audience participation — any concept is better if we all engage in it.

Some of you would be brave enough to raise your hands, others would look at me awkwardly and shrug, some might glare thinking it was a loaded question and a few would have already fallen asleep by now (those are probably the people who also stopped reading at this point).

Unfortunately, the people who disengage are probably the ones who need to hear the message, and the dialogue that would ensue from such a question, the most.

So — thank you to those who continue to listen and those of you who are still reading. You are appreciated!

There is a lot to know about today — with technology at our fingertips, many different sources of news, journals, books and social media accounts to keep up with. I would expect we all live with the burden of knowledge weighing heavy on our shoulders — and our hearts.

In my world, of nonprofits, I see a lot and hear a lot about the internal and external challenges we all face these days. There are varying expectations from different generations of donors to keep up with, board dynamics, grant and program reporting requirements, changing service delivery methods, corporate social responsibility goals, effective marketing strategy, donor database upgrades, etc.

Every day there is so much, almost too much to pay attention to.

However, recently, another friend visited my office and challenged me to re-word the phrase “The Burden of Knowledge.” (Thank you, Sara Aeikens!) Immediately what came to mind was “The Opportunity to Understand.”

As an English major, I have great appreciation for words and the power they have. Words can limit us, or they can lift us up.

Knowing a lot doesn’t have to be a burden. When we discuss how to address local conditions, we don’t need to feel overwhelmed or afraid.

Because we are aware, we have the opportunity to understand — and with this comes the ability to take meaningful action.

An example I keep getting reminded of is how much negativity exists in public dialogue today. This negativity is spread easily, and I’ve encountered a lot this fall.

But, rather than feeling the burden of others’ frustrations, I have tried to understand. And this has been a gift. Digging deeper into why people feel the way they do is an opportunity we all have — and should strive to do.

People have opened up and underneath their frustration has been great love and care for their friends, neighbors, home and our community.

We can work with that! And we can find solutions by focusing on how we can better care for our loves ones.

We can push past the anger, fear and frustration and strive for the opportunity to understand.

Ann Austin is the executive director of the United Way of Freeborn County.