Building Bridges

The conversation of our once hope filled nation has turned angry, accusatory, divisive and threatening.  We are seeing the rise of disparate voices of those who feel left out and disenfranchised by the political process.  There is a call for fairness and accountability and yet a complete lack of civility, compromise and personal responsibility in the political conversation.

As I watch and listen to the candidates and commentators I’m constantly asking myself about the implications at the local level.  What does this conversation mean for my neighbors, my community, my children and me?  And how do we change the conversation?

The call to action comes quickly to mind.  It’s time for each of us to pick up our toolkits and begin building bridges.  Start small.  Knock on the door of your next door neighbor and find out how they are doing.  Maybe drop off a token of friendship—something from your garden or home baked goodies.  Begin building the relationships with your neighbors so that you all begin to rely on one another for support.  These relationships form a bridge of mutual understanding, care and concern.

Consider volunteering for an organization with which you have natural affinity.  Mom is a cancer survivor? Choose Cancer Services or Gilead. Grandpa has Alzheimer’s? Choose the Alzheimer’s Association.  Any volunteer opportunity will do because it’s building the bridge between yourself and your community that matters.

The more bridges we build, the more connected we become. The more connected we become, the better able we are to respond to those who are feeling excluded and marginalized.  The better able we are to respond, the better able we are to provide a safe, healthy, thriving community that celebrates diversity of thought and people.