The art of building a sustainable future

By Nancy Richardson

Ashland

A sustainable future depends on our ability as a community to care for one another in a way that builds resilient families who are able to deal in a healthy manner with what life hands them, whether be it through disaster or everyday life.

We all strive for a happy, healthy and comfortable life where we can easily meet our family's needs.

Yet, as prosperous as America is there are many who struggle daily with a myriad of issues. If one family is left out of the equation of being able to meet their needs emotionally, physically and financially then we have failed to build a sustainable community.

Over one billion dollars has been donated since September 11 to a very worthy effort, yet everyday for that amount of money to be raised for programs of great importance to our society, it would take all non-profits combined much needed funds to raise that amount in an equal time. We must ask ourselves why as a society it takes a disaster of this magnitude for us to donate so generously of our time, money, etc., when the need has always been there to deal with everyday disasters like people going to bed hungry, homelessness, a lack of affordable housing and health care, discrimination, mental illness, environmental disasters, and on and on.

Perhaps the greater question we should be asking ourselves is why our society lacks the ability to sustain itself in a way that would allow over half of the problems that non-profits deal with to disappear. Our interconnectedness should be all the drive we need to create a society that nourishes all and sustains itself.

Because of this disaster there will be an even greater need for all of us to step forward and become involved in our communities. The good that can result from this tragedy is a societal growth where hearts remain open with the same resolve that this tragedy has provided.

Our "new normalcy" should not be fear based, but should involve changes in the way we live and operate as a society.

We learn through giving of our time, talents, and cash that we gain much more in our personal growth than we put out, thus building our own personal resiliency. The next time you feel the desire to donate to a cause that touches your heart and you hear that voice saying "but I'm already so busy," or "what do I have to offer?" or even "my budget is stretched too tight already," remember the following thoughts. If 2,000 people volunteer only one hour a month of their time it adds up to 24,000 hours of work accomplished in a year. If 20,000 people donate $1 to a single charity once a year it adds up to $20,000. A charity appreciates every donation, no matter the size. Donation of time and skills may be as simple as sticking on labels or driving someone to an appointment.

Don't know where to look? Call your favorite charity, a local school or church, or Managers of Volunteers in Action (local number is 776-6164).

This is a time for great introspection as to how we live our lives and function as a society. America is a generous and compassionate group, but the need for assistance in many areas is so tremendous that there is always an agency that will greatly welcome additional assistance, and there are always ways that we can improve as a society.

We may each only have a little to offer, but in numbers there is strength and together we can build a sustainable future.