Unity

Wow.  It is no wonder to me that JFK was so highly admired.  I have been reading the speech he gave at his inauguration as President.  Before he even got to Office he was a war hero and a Pulitzer prize winner.  He loved fine oratory and spent two months editing his speech before he gave it.
The most famous quotes I knew of his before I read this were “Ask not what my country can do for me, but what I can do for my country” and “Ich bin ein Berliner.”  However reading this speech there are a number of things he says which strike a deep chord in me.
“United, there is little we cannot do…Divided, there is little we can do.” “…we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of libery.” “we pledge…not because…but because it is right.” “…only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.” (I dispute that that will always be enough, but it was for a long time)
There is a heap he said that was quotable but it is probably best I avoid a situation I faced in school.  I had to do an assignment.  I put in it “I could go on and on” and the teacher put in the margin “you do, you do.”
What really stood out to me in the quotes above was “united there is little we cannot do, divided there is little we can do.”  I have seen the truth of that time and again.  People united can achieve so much.  When there is one heart and one mind and one will and purpose to say that the sky is the limit, is probably too limiting.
I guess it is a bit like a tug of war.  When one side is stronger, they will win every time when they pull together.  I guess it is why they say “A champion team will always beat a team of champions.”  Winning a team event is never an individual thing but a group thing.
I believe nothing will stand forever this side of eternity, but I have always been disappointed how easy it is to destroy and how hard it is to build.  Notre Dame is a prime example to me.  It took years to build, stood for hundreds of years, and was destroyed over night.
To me, disunity is destructive.  At the very least it acts like an anchor that holds back progress.  At worst we miss the mark completely.  I am always astounded we land space craft on tiny targets.  All the calculations need to be right.  One wrong calculation and the craft goes sailing by.  I reckon disunity is a like a wrong calculation.  The original goal is missed.  Worse still the craft crashes and burns.
Goals may be simple or complex, for good or for evil, bring liberty or bondage.  Whatever the motivation, goals can be achieved by pulling together.