Ampersand Living

Decades ago I started saying, “The most important word in every language is And.” Often, despite my singular wisdom, I set up an either/or in life. When I notice it, I do my best to switch my mindset from an either/or to a both/and.

Both/And is the only way we’ll ever have a world that works for everyone, and we need it. Now more than ever.

This is what it means:

We live in a world based on a universal law called the Complementarity of Opposites. If you look, you’ll see it everywhere. It’s a world based on Or.

In fact, if you asked me to choose one word that characterizes the values of the world we inhabit today, that would be it. Or. Or, by default, means a world that does not work for everyone.

And, as I said, we need a world that works for everyone. No exceptions. None. At all. Ever. For e-v-e-r-y-o-n-e. Forever. After all, we’re all in this together.

The very real question that I’m asking here is …

Do you ampersand?

So, do you ampersand?” Do you, too, want an inclusive world, one that isn’t about you or me, your tribe or mine, and your God or my God? The more of us who choose this, the faster it happens. Ampersand living is a model for a life connected to people who also want to live based on And instead of Or.

All of my books are based on And—fiction and nonfiction alike. I invite you to pick up any or all of them to visit an Ampersand world, to see yourself inhabiting one, and enjoying the ways an And world could bless you, your loved ones, the rest of us, and the whole world.

I am, without doubt, certain that And is the secret to all we desire. Let’s commit to practicing And ever more diligently, shall we?

Until next time, be ampersand

The artwork is a #sketchquote by artist Brad Heckman. Find him on Instagram.