A METAPHOR FOR COMMUNITY AND CONNECTION

I love this photographic image. Love its composition. Love how it prompts our reflection on town and gown and governance…ingredients that, when shaped by caring hearts and minds, can create and inform healthy communities. We’ve let fear, small-minded political bullies, weakened institutions and distracted media knock us off our Democracy game. We can and must do better. I’m inspired by the promise of this photo. Let’s consider our possible roles as we anticipate a New Year…

LET’S ENCOURAGE PROGRESS BY REACHING ACROSS SOME REAL AND PERCEIVED BARRIERS…

LET’S REACH ACROSS THE AISLE

We The People have allowed/enabled our elected reps to stalemate governance by refusing to work together in the mutual interests of their constituents. Sheer selfish, lazy, partisan madness. Time to tie our support of candidates and office holders to their commitment to work across the aisle in our best interests. And to demonstrate accountability. Or we don’t fund them…

LET’S REACH ACROSS OUR NEIGHBORHOODS

Do you know your neighbors? Do you know where seniors, invalids, latchkey children, interesting retirees are? Artists and other creatives? Have you visited your neighborhood schools? Have you joined your neighborhood assn.? A friend recently confessed that he’d lived in his neighborhood for 10 years, but hadn’t met the folks 3 houses down the block. He remedied that that afternoon.

LET’S REACH ACROSS OUR WORKPLACE

Does your workplace encourage community service, allow limited time for parent/school visits, medical appts., volunteer opportunities? Promote a corporate community outreach committee to encourage/manage community opportunities/ charitable requests…Encourage, promote and reward community service…

LET’S REACH ACROSS THE COMMUNITY

Encourage collaborative partnerships throughout your community. There are unlimited opportunities for private/public partnerships and other iterations. Possible partners include chambers of commerce, faith-based organizations, state agencies, city/county depts., schools, neighborhood groups, non-profits, service orgs., etc. Effective/accountable efforts will require creative leadership, organizational expertise and good communications.

LET’S “REACH” ACROSS OUR DINING TABLES

Let’s designate our dining tables screen-free zones, get to know each other and ourselves. Try to set better examples for children and grandchildren. Consider issues of the day, and ask table guests what they would like to discuss. Limit TV watching during meals unless there is a consensus about special programs. Such as MY choice of the important televised game. ( JK—6/7)