There is nothing like a collapsed economy to show what people are made of. A once quite comfortable woman now cares for older people who still have the means to pay others for help. She wondered where she will be in 20 years when she is eighty-something and needs care. Her tangible resources have evaporated in the collapse. Her dream of retiring to a warm, sunny place? Dashed. Whose dream remains intact in this wrenching downturn?

Facing an uncertain future and in the fog of pain, she does not see the bright light on the horizon: the responsive, resourceful communities that are well within our capacity to create. Though she can’t see it because nothing makes sense right now, her  sterling commitment to integrity, and willingness to volunteer, organize, speak up and pot luck, in short show up, are the qualities that will pull her through. She will join other like minded people of consciousness and honor to create the communities in which they want to live.

Fairness, the Illusion, acknowledges the inherent unfairness of life and predicts that the enduring qualities of service, integrity and compassion will become recognized and valued as we molt from our misguided beliefs that resources were infinite and that our dominance shielded us from the world’s suffering. When we consciously participate in creating committed, supportive communities, we will not merely survive, we will thrive.

The Fourth Turning predicted this collapse and described that the collective will to implement the changes that we so obviously need would be galvanized by it. Unfortunately, we could not have faced the reality until the collapse, a hit upside the head with a 2 x 4, jolted us from our somnolence. The old adage is true: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Well, we can all agree now that our communities are not merely broken, they are hemorrhaging. Help is not coming from the outside. It is an inside job.

This is a tectonic shift. It is akin to the soft spot on a baby’s head. It is soft to leave room for the brain to grow. We are creating a world that is not not yet recognizable. Working with our neighbors to create the communities in which we want to live, care for our children, our parents and each other is the only way. The bright light on the horizon is each of us.

New Community Vision is committed to the notion that we can create nurturing healthy, supportive communities by gathering monthly to brainstorm for solutions to our universal problems. The desired outcome is to get to know others, to discover common areas of interest and resources that, when tapped, lead to easier, more satisfying, abundant lives for all members. Our goal is to facilitate the gatherings in partnership with local community groups. Please contact us to infuse your neighborhood with community spirit and satisfaction. Comments are welcome.

Tags: communities, Fourth Turning