Community - What Happened - 65,844,610 asked

Community

What Happened - 65,844,610 asked

 

I just finished reading the book “What Happened.”

If you are one who voted for Hillary Rodham Clinton and you really wanted (want) to know, you really need to read this book. It is a very pleasant and satisfying read if you voted for her, or now wish you had. Put aside what you may have read, seen, or heard in your favorite (or other) media. You do need to read the book, in her own words, written from the heart. You will learn many things you will wish you had heard during the campaign that got drowned out by the mess that was the campaign.

She clearly admits all the mistakes she made as a candidate. Let’s start there. The important thing, now, is where do we go, from here. How do we fix the mistake for our country that came about via the Electoral College vote versus the popular vote?

Each of us has had a lot of time to think about this, by now, I’m sure. I certainly have. I’m reminded every day of the key principles of government that I thought were fixed, that are being eroded, torn away, torn apart, each and every day of the current administration. We each need to be active in our own way to work on this…every day.

I’ve spoken some about this in earlier posts. This blog was created as a platform for this dialogue. I’ve been away for awhile, but, in coming weeks, I’ll be sharing what I’ve been reading (this book and otherwise) and what I think we should be doing to make our lives, and our country, better. This is one thing I can do. It will be up to you to decide what you can do. I invite you to join me on this journey.

More on this later, but, in closing, in the words of HRC:

“Resist, insist, persist, enlist.”

Community - Empathy

Community
Empathy

A recent Dan Rather column online talked of having Empathy in our communities. He defined empathy as a case of commonality when contrasted with sympathy, one of separation.

Do you pursue projects in your community where the basis is empathy, a case of commonality? Identifying projects or causes in your own community where you feel empathy is at the heart of successful activism and involvement that we each need to pursue to aid in building our community in a positive way. Again, this applies to whatever you think of as ‘my community.’

Many of us find ourselves surrounded by negativity these days. Reject those negative influences and pursue your own positive thoughts and actions by seeking commonality through empathy. Put yourself in the other person’s position and move positively forward. Work in unison, in commonality, with other members of your community to do good, whatever that may mean for you and your community.


Think Positive, Do Good! ;-)

Community - Thank Someone Today

Community
Thank Someone Today

Today’s suggestion: Whatever community of which you are a part - Thank Someone Today, for what they have done recently to make that community better (by your definition and interests)!

We should thank people regularly for their contributions to our society, in whatever way. But, sometimes we need a little nudge. This is that nudge, for you, and me, today. This suggestion is also a reminder to think about the community, or communities, of which you are a part… especially those where you are an active participant. It may be a physical location, or it may be a social group. You decide. Think about it. Thank Someone Today.

You do not need to share, but if you have a thought related to this suggestion, we welcome your comments, as always.


What will you do? Leave a comment here or on Facebook, Google+ or Twitter. Create a post on your blog. Talk to a friend or neighbor.


Think Positive, Do Good! ;-)

Community - Activism

Community
Activism

 

With the Inauguration on Friday and the Women’s March on Saturday, the theme for today must be Activism. This can take many forms, for many reasons, of course. Where do you stand?

Activism can begin with contacting your elected representatives, local, state or national about whatever you are passionate about, for or against an issue. Over the weekend, many persons passionate about their concerns, gathered together to demonstrate, with their physical presence, to show their concerns. Others contributed to a favorite cause, even if they could not march, or gather.

Now, what can we each do to sustain this statement of our concerns? That will be the challenge. The next elections are weeks or months away. In the meantime, how can we take positive actions that will have an impact, and keep our concerns in front of the most important persons or organizations to do the most good - from our perspective? Each of us must find our way. The important thing is to do it.

What will you do? How will you sustain it? Leave a comment here or on Facebook, Google+ or Twitter. Create a post on your blog. Talk to a friend or neighbor.


Think Positive, Do Good! ;-)

Community - Get Involved - Read Broadly

Community
Get Involved

Read Broadly

In order to get involved in your community (again, however you define community) you need information. You need to know the ‘lay of the land’ and who the players are. For this, and a number of other reasons, I suggest that you ‘Read Broadly!.’

Each source of possible useful information has a different slant, a different perspective, and a different depth of detail of information. Never rely on a single source of information alone. The more complex the community issue(s) you decide to pursue, the broader you need to reach to gather information. I personally prefer to read, but radio (and other audio sources) and television (and other video sources) are also useful sources… so long as you sample a broad array of sources.

This applies at the local level, the state level, and the national and international level of community. As an example, locally, I read local newspapers along with the local radio station’s website and watch the local new on television - checking out each of the available channels, from time to time. It is often very surprising to see what is and is not covered by each of the news outlets!

Nationally, and internationally, everyday I read Reuters, Associated Press, USA Today, the Guardian, CBS, Fox, CNN, and the Apple News aggregator (NYTimes, WSJ, Vox, Salon, Slate, NPR, HuffPost and more) online, as a further example. Each day I pick up something different on each of these sources that are not available on the other services. What has been your experience? What sources would you suggest?

Read Broadly! ;-)


Think Positive, Do Good! ;-)

Get Involved 2

Community
Get Involved 2

Get involved in your community by attending a meeting of one of your local governmental organizations that administer your ‘community’ entities - did you know they were open to the public to attend, watch and listen?

Have you attended a meeting of your city council? Board of Commissioners or Supervisors? Local School Board? These are places where important decisions are made that have a direct effect on your every day live in your community. Get to know the people who represent you in these organizations. Perhaps you will see a committee you would like to become involved with… attendance at these meetings is the first step. Let your representative know you appreciate their efforts on your behalf. If you ever have a complaint, they would like to hear that, as well. And, it will be taken much more seriously if you have already made their acquaintance, and they know you are sincere by your attendance at some of their meetings. It all works together, you will notice.

Whether or not you ever consider running for an elected seat on one of the councils or boards, attending, getting to know the incumbents, and showing interest are also the first steps in that process. By attending, and observing, you might find you have more interest in continued involvement than you previously thought. Give it a try. Get Involved! ;-)


Think Positive, Do Good! ;-)

Community - Get Involved

Community
Get Involved

How do you see the “community” you live in? Is there just one, or are there several?

Is “community” geographical, social, or something else? We each have our own definition, I assume, so that will become part of our discussion as we move forward into 2017. Hillary Clinton once wrote a book called, “It Takes a Village.” But, community is really even more than that, as I see it. I am anxious to see and hear what you think.

How involved are you in your local community, however you define it? Community involvement should be on everyone’s list of 2017 resolutions. Get involved. Work to make your community better, for yourself, for your family, and for your neighbors. What will be your primary contribution in 2017?

Social media has helped create new virtual communities. Are they real? Are they worthwhile for using your time to become involved? I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Use the comments below, or on Facebook, Google+ or Twitter…

Think Positive, Do Good! ;-)