“What If…” the questions you ask could really change the world?

Last night I had the privilege of attending a very special event called Summit 360 put together by genius and impresario Susan Bird of wf360. In a room filled with some of the most intelligent and forward-thinking people in the world of commerce, we were provoked to consider how to make the world a better place by using the simple but powerful question of “What if?”

Naturally my personal “what if” always revolves around encouraging everyone to use a bicycle to get around instead of a fossil fuel machine. But I suspended my inclinations last night to embrace a broader view.

And I was glad I did. Because in this bastion (the New York Stock Exchange) of capitalism (which I embrace, love and endorse as the best way to improve the standard of living for all people) this crowd spoke of giving generously of their personal and professional time to educate young people. I heard radical ideas about ways to eliminate corruption in our political system, and ideas to promote new, non-polluting energy, and new ways to encourage commerce in emerging nations using non-traditional currencies.

We were a few blocks from Zucotti Park (which I passed on my two wheels on the way downtown) and I could not help but reflect on the contrasts but more importantly the similarities between people.

In their hearts, I would say that 100% (not this bifurcating 1 vs. 99 stuff) of people want to make the world a better place. And it is that belief in the positiveness of humankind is what will move us forward.

And as I wound my way uptown on my trusty one speed on a beautiful balmy night in Manhattan, I could not help but feel positive about the future of our country and our world. And only part of that feeling was because I was on a bicycle.

What if we could all harness this power to change our own world, one person at a time, in all our interactions with others, in a positive and embracing way, every day?

Safe travels.