A Shining City on a Hill (Part I)
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ONE.
Do you want to build a shining city on a hill?
No.
Why?
It’s impossible.
Why is it impossible?
Whenever you ask someone, “Do you want to build a shining city on a hill?” They say, “No.”
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TWO.
Do you want to build a shining city on a hill?
I’d love to build a shining city on a hill.
How do you think we should do it?
I don’t know…
Here’s what I think. What do you think about that?
I don’t know…
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THREE.
Do you want to build a shining city on a hill?
Yes! I have a vision.
I have some vision, too —
Go ahead, get behind me! I’m in charge! I’ve got a vision! What’d you say?
I said, I have a —
Here come all my ideas!
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FOUR.
Do you want to build a shining city on a hill?
The reason I don’t have one is your fault.
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FIVE.
Do you want to build a shining city on a hill?
Yes! I am a leader! Get on board!
I am a leader! You get on board!
You get on board!
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SIX.
Want to build a shining city on a hill?
Yes. I have some ideas about what’s important.
I have some ideas about what’s important, too. Here they are.
Those ideas are thoughtful, but what you think is important is different from what I think is important. My ideas about what is important are these.
Those ideas are thoughtful, too, but they are different from mine.
We disagree, friend.
We do. We agree that we disagree.
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SEVEN.
Want to build a shining city on a hill?
We already have a shining city on a hill!
Okay. It doesn’t feel that way, though.
Your attitude ruins it!
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EIGHT.
Want to build a shining city on a hill?
Yeah! Let’s meet and bring our best stuff.
Great. I brought a well-reviewed book about cities on a hill.
Cool. I brought an action figure. Because we need action.
Okay. Want to hear about the book?
A little. Except it’s words. And it sucks as an action figure.
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NINE.
Want to build a shining city on a hill?
We need one! Everywhere I go, it gets more dreadful…
I feel that way, too, a lot of the time. So, want to build something better?
…And speaking of the dreadful, you remind me of it!!
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TEN.
Want to build a shining city on a hill?
Yes. But I’m kind of roughed up by what we have now. Can we talk about that?
No time! Building a shining city here!
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ELEVEN.
Want to build a shining city on a hill?
I do. I’m trying to do that. What do you think it looks like?
I think it looks like this.
I’m really listening to you.
Thanks. What about you? What do you think it looks like?
I think it looks like this.
I’m really listening, too. May I ask a question, though?
Sure. I’ll answer it as best I can.
Okay, after we do that, I understand now. Yeah, I like your idea.
I like your idea, too. This week, in addition to thinking about my idea, I spent time thinking about your idea.
This week, in addition to thinking about my idea, I spent time thinking about your idea, too.
Then, this week, in addition to spending time and energy on my idea, I spent a little time and energy on your idea.
Huh. This week, in addition to spending time and energy on my idea, I also spent a little time and energy on your idea.
Want to meet again?
Let’s.