Jan. 27, 2017 Perspective: What is Your Contribution?

These frigid winter days and nights have offered me the opportunity to research and delve into topics I know little about. Recently, I have been reading books by Peter Block and John McKnight exploring the ways we can transform communities. A recurring question is raised on these pages that I believe all of us should ask ourselves: "What is your contribution to the very thing you complain about?" It seems to me that our world is filled with laments and complaints; perhaps we take great joy in finding fault with this and that or feeling we have no control over life's limitations. Oh, I realize that problems do exist, but why get stuck discussing the dilemmas? Let's change the conversation to offer our individual abilities to make things happen. I have faith that each of you has a gift that you could share with your neighbors, your colleagues, your family and friends, and thereby reduce all the complaining and blaming we all often do. It certainly can't hurt to try.

Jan. 16, 2014 Community Connectors

A bundle of energy, a quizzical mind, a thousand ideas, innumerable questions - that only begins to describe my friend, Jon. We met for coffee recently, and in the hour and a half we spent together, he impressed me with his experiences, questioned me about local concerns, informed me of books, and entertained me with his travel stories. He is  young, but wise; he is idealistic with a dose of practicality. We shared a plethora of viewpoints on community involvement and a vision for bringing people together. We are both community connectors: individuals who have the desire and, hopefully, the capacity to draw people together. Jon has a future ahead of him in which he will create a strong, sustainable community wherever he lands. Right now, I am delighted he is home for a couple of months because I am certain that he will join me in developing new opportunities for interactions among residents in this village.


" There are no strangers here; only friends you haven't yet met."  William Butler Yeats

Jan. 8, 2014 Being the Difference

I have always thought that the desire to make a difference in the world around you was an important goal to set. However, yesterday, I was reading the cowboy ethic blog in which the author discusses "being the difference". This idea intrigued me - making a difference is a series of single and perhaps unrelated actions which will be appreciated, but being the difference entails living your life to show what you stand for. What a challenge to spend each day reaching out to others through one's example of good, solid values. This lifestyle became very clear to me today when I ran into a friend in the grocery store. We were discussing a neighbor who is very ill, and she was explaining how he was being taken care of by a number of people. She mentioned that her husband goes over to this man's house every evening to pass the time with his friend keeping him company. What a remarkable deed to do night after night to show someone how much you value him. This example of  "being the difference" is having a huge impact on both of them as one nears the end of life. I am humbled, yet amazed by his dedication to his friend! Be the difference you wish to see in the world.

Greetings, Friends

I now begin a new adventure in blogging. I make no promises for a certain number of posts nor a commitment to continue this for a year or two or even a month or two. Let us see where my inspiration takes us on this journey. I will write of common folk who are doing admirable actions; I will depict everyday places filled with unique characteristics, and when an issue piques my curiosity, I will give my perspective. My hope is that this blog might become a dialogue or perhaps a conversation. For all of you must know in advance that I prefer to listen to the stories of others rather than tell my own. Don't be surprised to find yourselves depicted on these pages. I am surrounded by fascinating people.