Oftentimes we hear the term “glass ceiling” related to women in the workplace and those who succeed are touted as having broken through the glass ceiling.
Glass Ceiling or New House?
The glass ceiling is perceived as the male dominated positions, salaries, power and influence not traditionally held by women. Today, I’d like us to look at the glass ceiling in a completely different way—as a community.
Our glass ceiling is built of all the perceptions and beliefs we’ve adopted of ourselves and where we live. It’s cemented together by the compounding effect of our habits, the way we speak of ourselves and others, and ultimately the way those things drive the perception and beliefs of outsiders. It doesn’t take long for the glass ceiling of a community to become so strong that it seems impossible to break through and create positive transformational change. I feel that’s what we have created in Grant County.
Our glass ceiling is held up by stories of poverty, scarcity, lack of academic achievement, violence, substance abuse, poor quality of life, lack of safe housing, and the list goes on.
It’s time for a change and that time is now. Let’s stop trying to break through our heavily fortified glass ceiling and instead, build an entirely new house. This requires you to do something. Yes, you. If you’re unhappy about your neighborhood, get to know your neighbors and start watching out for one another. The next time you are confronted by someone who says, “I’m sorry you moved to (name any town in Grant County)” or “this town sucks.” Tell that person you love it here. Provide a positive response to each negative message coming at you. Want to effect change? Join the Thriving Families, Thriving Grant County movement. Find a local volunteer opportunity in an area you are passionate about—we all need volunteers. Start that business you’ve been dreaming about for years. Advocate for what is important to you and find others who feel the same. Start a food co-op, a book club, or an investment club.
It’s time to build a new house, together—a house that allows for limitless potential; a house where all are welcome and cared for; a house where dreams come to live and thrive.
It’s my house—Grant County.
