Barack Obama and John McCain
In a world that constantly seems to be getting smaller, our communities seem to be getting farther away from each other. In our recent presidential election, we had two men of different ages, beliefs, ideologies and parties telling Americans to get involved in their society, to pull their communities closer, and to make an already great country even greater. This goes beyond issues and policy. It falls into the fundamental principals that are most important in American life. Reaching out to lift someone up is an impulse to which we can all relate. We all know the feeling of struggle and despair. We all know personally what it means when unexpectedly a friend or stranger reaches out and helps us through a tough time. It doesn’t matter what the problem is; it becomes easier. The weight becomes lighter and thankfulness replaces frustration. Something that seemed impossible only moments before now seems attainable. That is the result that makes helping others so important to a community. Not only do we all have the ability to see and feel what others are going through, but we can also care enough to make a difference.
Contributing to our communities is a non-partisan ideal. Before he became President Barack Obama, Senator Obama said, “When you choose to serve – whether it’s your nation, your community or simply your neighborhood – you are connected to that fundamental American ideal that we want life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness not just for ourselves, but for all Americans.” Senator John McCain provided us with some specific suggestions: “If you find faults with our country, make it a better one. If you’re disappointed with the mistakes of government, join its ranks and work to correct them. Enlist in our armed forces. Become a teacher. Enter the ministry. Run for public office. Feed a hungry child. Teach an illiterate adult to read. Comfort the afflicted. Defend the rights of the oppressed. Our country will be better, and you will be happier. Because nothing brings greater happiness in life than to serve a cause greater than yourself.”
At a time when the world seems to have stopped working the way it’s supposed to, we can look around and see people as individuals coming together to do what is right. Donating time and or money and putting others first, members of our community are doing what they can. There is no better way to see that needs are met with compassion than to get involved ourselves—right here in our own community. We get involved and make a difference.
This spring we are experiencing flooding here in the Dakotas. Volunteers are filling sandbags, cooking meals, caring for their neighbors and their neighbors’ pets, protecting the homes and belongings of their neighbors. Disasters are never pleasant, but they do show us generosity of the people we live with. Kindness is shown through acts that lift all of us through the hard times, and becoming the people who perform these acts makes us feel better about ourselves. The enthusiasm and dedication of volunteers are contagious. They are people who put others first and make life in our world better for everyone.
There are so many organizations in every town that need volunteers. Whether it’s the Salvation Army, Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, churches, museum, veterans organizations, schools, community theatre, local politics or youth athletics. Time after time these organizations and volunteers make a difference in their neighbors’ lives. We all – every single one of us – have something to contribute.
Jason Williams is an environmentalist and has constructed a two-story straw bale building out of renewable and recycled materials.
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