Peter
Buffett, son of billionaire investor Warren Buffett, is an Emmy
Award-winning composer, NY Times best-selling author and noted
philanthropist. Currently, he is releasing socially-conscious music and
touring his “Concert & Conversation” series in support of his bookLife Is What You Make It.
This is a song about finding common ground. And the idea
that if we start from the inside out, and from our very earliest memories of
how we thought the world was put together, we’d probably find such a similarity
in feelings that we’d be surprised and saddened at how divisive we’ve become:
“Room Enough” by Peter Buffett
I was scrolling through my Facebook news feed and found
someone posting about Republican vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan’s speech at the Republican National Convention. Actually,
there were a lot of posts about it. But this one was in support of his ideology
(I try to have a few contrary “friends” just to keep tabs on all this divisive
story telling I seem to write so much about).
I followed the link to a conservative website and was
stunned as I read the comments. I’m not saying that this is a conservative only
trait, but the vitriol that was leveled at the single commenter that had a
dissenting opinion was stunning. At this point I realize I’m probably sounding
Pollyannaish to many. I suppose some people may accuse me of that on a weekly
basis. But I was truly amazed at the intensity of the attacks.
As we head into the most heated months of the election
cycle, I start to question whether there’s any interest at all in a search for
common ground. Or any curiosity about what motivates the “other side” in its
quest for power. And at the same time, I wonder if, when elected, there would
be huge differences between the abilities of one president to get things done
over another. If “landmark” legislation were passed how long would it be
before it was dismantled?
I will keep writing, singing, saying; it’s about opening
our hearts to what we’ve always known, what we were born knowing.
As this month’s song says at the outset:
Nobody can save your
soul
And you can’t buy a
life with gold
So take another look
at what you hold.
Now I’m going to direct this specifically at the ultra
wealthy (and you may find that humorous). Why on earth are people holding onto
billions of dollars, or multiple mega-mansions, or any number of massive
purchases that sit idle?
Is there enough for everyone if everyone only holds onto
just enough? So, what is enough?
What do you think? Share your story at changeourstory.com. Visit www.peterbuffett.comto learn more and Change Our Story to
join the conversation on how we all can become active participants in shaping
our future.
Image courtesy of fallingwater123, licensed underCreative Commons.
