Every year I participate in the Bermuda Day Half Marathon Derby. Having just finished yet another, I reflect back on the day and say to myself: “Why can’t we treat each other with this respect and kindness every day of the year?”

The generosity and support of all the spectators along the race route, from start to finish, is truly touching — strangers offering runners bottled water, fresh fruit, ice bags, sponges, wet towels, and unwavering verbal support.

For one day, it doesn’t seem to matter who is black or white, Progressive Labour Party or One Bermuda Alliance, etc. For one day, we are all Bermudians and residents of this beautiful island that we love and cherish.

For one day, we are united.

I can’t help thinking that we have so much more in common than we think. Stepping outside our comfort zone and engaging with people we don’t know, or know to have a different perspective on various issues, is a good place to start.

For Bermuda to work for any of us over the long term, it needs to work for many more than it does now.

Just think of the progress we could make on critical issues such as workforce development and the care of our elderly, among others, if we could engage as freely and as respectfully year-round as we do on Bermuda Day.

• John Wight is the president of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce