Animosities between factions have existed for millenia, most (perhaps all) of which aren’t rooted in any real principles but in ideas and opinions passed down through the generations. Looking to cultivate cooperation by questioning the assumptions of previous generations and by seeking common ground instead of focusing on our differences, Abram Siegel-Rivers established One Day, a non-profit organization and platform that aims to unify communities and promulgate the idea that now is the perfect opportunity to reshape our world.
Over the past two years One Day has created a non-judgmental, loving space, the One Day Virtual Stage, where guests come to share the wisdom and lessons they have learned through (what is often felt as) traumatic experience. These lessons have become the building blocks for all the books, workshops, and festivals that One Day has set into motion. The organization encourages everyone to examine their deep-rooted beliefs and to take responsibility for the consequences of those assumptions. Abram points out that these assumptions get passed down from generation to generation through conversations like; “You can never trust a Democrat/Republican!”, “You won’t be happy until you have a good job.” and “Pakistanis and Indians will never get along!”. He states, “We repeat these conversations to ourselves, and they become our beliefs. Our beliefs become echo chambers which then become self-fulfilling prophecies. The more we continue to engage in those same old conversations, the more we perpetuate misunderstandings, conflict and even war on a personal, local and global level.”
One Day has announced its first book titled Together We Rise: Unleash Your Gifts and Light Up The World, slated for release in the second quarter of 2022. The book is a compilation of short experiences from authors worldwide demonstrating the power of transforming trauma into purpose. A companion workbook that contains a series of questions and exercises for each experience will also be available for those who want to experience these lessons themselves. The proceeds will be used to fund projects championed by One Day leaders around the world. Upcoming projects include commissioning a mural at an art high school in Nashville, Tennessee as well as facilitating additional leadership and conflict resolution training for refugees in Kakuma and Kalobeyei, Kenya.
Some of the other projects they hope to facilitate through One Day trained leaders include shared neighborhood meals and block parties dedicated to gratitude and collaboration, community-sourced art projects that point to the power of loving co-creation and providing sustainable and comfortable shelter, food, water, internet technologies, and other resources to refugees and other homeless persons. Their most ambitious goal though might be to create a new global holiday. Abram wants to coordinate festivals in cities across the world each year to celebrate what’s possible when communities embrace unity and creativity while encouraging neighbors to look for common ground instead of focusing on their differences.
Abram set out to create One Day as a platform that brings warring factions together. One Day began as a question, why not today? “So many dream that one day, Catholics and Protestants will picnic together, Jews and Palestinians will sing each other’s song, Democrats and Republicans will join together to nourish the hungry, Pakistanis and Indians will dance together hand in hand. Why wait for tomorrow?” Abram asks, “That is why we declare ‘One Day Is Today’! Harmony in the world can only exist when we choose to be harmonious. Each day we have a choice to plant seeds of love, beauty, laughter and wonder for another. By living this way we invite others to experience the change we have become. ‘Be the change…’ is a cliche for a reason after all.”
According to the One Day Pledge they exist as a beacon of light to guide people and communities worldwide home to love through creativity, authenticity and compassion. As Abram explains, “One Day is an embassy for humanity. No matter a person’s beliefs, views, color, creed, sexuality, gender, religion, politics, ethnicity, or race, One Day is a champion for humanity and divinity in all people. We assert that every person has value and, through their authentic Self-expression, the potential to directly bring the experience of joy and alleviate the experience of suffering for all people.”
One Day invites you to live your “One Day” today.
Learn more about One Day on their website or connect with them directly through Facebook.
