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According to Merriam-Webster, the Word Unify means “to make into a unit or coherent whole: unite.”  The word unite refers to 1a) to put together to form a single unit, b) to cause to adhere, c)  to link by a legal or moral bond, and 2)  to possess (different things, such as qualities ) in combination.”  Did you know that getting unified or united is a choice we can make? Throughout this article, I will share how to unify and the benefits of it.

Whether it is your family, friends, company teams, sports teams, or volunteer groups, when we choose to unify, we have more fun, and the results are exponential.  However, many get challenged to know when and how to unify.  We are born into our family, and you would think unification is automatic, but I’m here to tell you it is not in many.  We don’t choose our family but all the other groups, from friends to work; it is our free choice.    Many people go years after their teens and have not unified with their families, which is sad.  The good thing is that choosing to unify with your family is never too late.

A great way to do it is to suggest that we all eat dinner together one night each week and then play a board game afterward. Be sure to give an honest, heartfelt compliment to whoever did the cooking that night or picked up the takeout door.  It doesn’t matter whether it is a home-cooked meal or even a pizza ordered from a local shop.  The most important thing is to spend quality time with all your family members and get to know their personalities beyond mom, dad, brother, sister, etc.  Take the lesson Dale Carnegie taught us so well from his book “How to Win Friends & Influence People,” and strive to become genuinely interested in the other person.  Feel free to laugh with everyone and enjoy the time you are having.  Maybe you might even want to bring out a Sundae Bar so that the whole family could make homemade ice cream with all the toppings.

Another great thing to do is suggest going on a family outing, picnic, hike, day trip, or vacation.  You will notice that your parents, brother, and sisters will be different in this environment and welcome uniting.  The more time you take to get to know each other, the greater your family bond will be.  Try it once, and you will wonder why you never did it, as it will change your whole family’s lives.  Your family wants to be united; unfortunately, with the hustle and bustle of life and possible work, it might be missed. 

Uniting with acquaintances is more difficult because only some people will be open to unifying with you.  Thus, we need to discuss whether the other person wants to unify with you and how to recognize the signs if they don’t want to.  If you mention an idea to the person and they are not receptive, this may indicate that you will not unify.  Another is when you have suggested you both hang out, and they tell you they have other plans or are uninterested.  When the other person leans in toward the conversation, eyes open wider, or speaks a positive statement, there is a high probability they want to unite with you.  If you choose to share a vulnerability and they share one in kind, they want to be unified with you.

Unification means that the other person sees you as one of them and wants you to be part of their world.  Unified people don’t try to become something they are not to impress others; each accepts the other for who they are.  Even though choosing to unify with acquaintances as you may fear rejection, the results, when successful, will open up new possibilities and an entirely new way of seeing the world.

Beyond unifying with others, nature is a great thing to unify within our world. There are many ways to connect with nature, such as taking a stroll near a brook, pond, or lake and taking in all the beauty of the landscapes, water, animals, and trees you encounter on your path. Sit with your back pressed against a big oak tree and become grounded with it.  Nature is one of the most common places people expect to unify, as it happens naturally.

Did you know that even music gets unified when it's played?  Whether we are talking about the beats per measure, the melody with the chords, or even the fact of certain parts being played with the left hand and others with the right hand. Certain music, such as productivity music, causes a reaction in our brain to release endorphins and thus allows us to be more.

Often, people want to help out an organization or charity that works well for others.  When one chooses to join and act on a team, they slowly become unified into serving the needs of others.  In any group, company, or organization, people become unified when there is either a common purpose or mission.

Thus, if you are at a school, company, or any other organization having a genuine desire and passion to be part of a team and be accountable for specific tasks will quickly unify the group.  Unification is not something we do once; and it's done but an ongoing process to stay aligned with everyone, promote goodwill, and support each other.

Unification is also referred to as things that will go together to help improve people’s lives, a specific process or increase profitability.  Many things in life go well together, such as peanut butter and jelly, pasta and sauce, ham. and eggs, nail and hammer, screw and screwdriver, staple and stapler, music, relaxation, passion, and consistency.

Whether it is a team of two or hundreds, the key is understanding what makes a great team.  All members should always exercise and maintain open communication.  Setting goals that all believe in or are mutually shared. Taking the time to build trust early and slowly learn member weaknesses so they can be augmented with other members or resources.  Respect is something that should be shown at all times, and when there is disagreement, to agree to disagree politely.  Team members should be open to consistent, constructive feedback with the intent to learn and grow.

Even if it is a business group, encouraging creative play is essential for enhanced productivity. Teams have no “I” in them but instead are a group of people that work together and should be delegated different responsibilities he/she may be accountable for.  Lastly, take time to celebrate your small wins and those grand successes.

Unification, if adopted, will help strengthen your family's bonds between acquaintances, work colleagues, and volunteers and open you and others up to infinite possibilities.  Start with a genuine desire to get to know something or someone more deeply, such as nature, a person, or even a group.   We learn more about a person or something by paying more attention to certain situations.  For example, to get united with nature, spend some time alone, walk or hike, and become aware of everything that surrounds you while in nature and appreciate it from your heart.