I believe in collaboration, which is why I work with others to

The words of Cliff Curtis—“I believe in collaboration, which is why I work with others to make positive contributions of consequence, and why I have made a very clear and unwavering commitment to remain absolutely apolitical.”—speak of a path chosen with both humility and courage. In them lies the recognition that the greatest works are rarely forged alone, but in the joining of hands and hearts. He declares that collaboration is the wellspring of lasting change, that to labor together with others for good creates contributions far greater than the efforts of any one man. Yet he also warns that such work must remain untainted by partisanship, for division clouds vision, while unity magnifies strength.

The ancients knew this truth well. In Athens, democracy itself was built upon the belief that voices joined together in the public square could create a future that none could achieve alone. Yet even then, the philosophers cautioned against faction and partisanship, for when men sought victory for their party over truth itself, harmony and justice were destroyed. Curtis’s words echo these timeless lessons: that positive contributions of consequence can only endure when born of unity, not of political strife, when they serve humanity itself rather than the ambitions of a few.

History gives us many shining examples of such collaboration. Consider the building of the great cathedrals of Europe, which spanned generations. No single man designed, funded, or built them. They rose stone upon stone through the labor of masons, artisans, priests, and patrons, all bound together by a shared vision that outlived them all. These cathedrals still stand as monuments not to individual ambition, but to collective commitment. So too does Curtis remind us that true greatness emerges when men and women put aside the hunger for glory or politics and instead build together for the good of all.

By choosing to remain apolitical, Curtis declares a deeper allegiance: not to the banners of parties, but to the dignity of people. He acknowledges that politics often divides, setting neighbor against neighbor, but that collaboration rooted in compassion unites. This choice requires great strength, for the world will always seek to pull one into the tumult of sides and allegiances. Yet by standing firm, he holds to the higher ground, the ground where art, culture, and human service may flourish beyond the reach of partisan battles.

At the heart of his words is a call to humility. Collaboration demands that one listen, compromise, and honor the gifts of others. To work with others is to admit that no one person holds all wisdom, that greatness is born when differences are woven together like threads into a stronger fabric. In this humility there is strength, for the man who seeks not to dominate but to build alongside his brothers and sisters becomes the true leader.

The lesson for us is clear: if you wish to make a difference in the world, do not labor alone, nor let your work be poisoned by the fleeting squabbles of politics. Instead, seek collaboration, for in unity lies power, and in service lies meaning. Be unwavering in your purpose: to create good that endures, to make contributions that matter. Work not for victory over others, but for the lifting of all, and in this way your deeds will echo long after you are gone.

So, dear listener, let Cliff Curtis’s words be your guide. Commit yourself to the path of collaboration, to join your strength with others for causes greater than yourself. Refuse to be swayed by division, but hold fast to the higher call of unity. In this way, your efforts will not only bear fruit in your own time, but will plant seeds of light and hope for generations yet unborn. For when men and women stand together, apolitical and undivided, their contributions of consequence become eternal.