Positive outlook: Sometimes all it takes is to realize what you have

Today, we have published our 2009 Progress edition -- Roads Less Traveled.

Our goal was to introduce or re-introduce you to people you might not have realized are doing important work in your community -- and to share some of the contributions being made in this county right now by people of all ages.

We enjoyed writing the stories, and we hope you enjoy reading them.

But as we were putting the section together, we realized that this year in particular there is a lesson to be learned ... and shared.

We talk all the time about the community we live in and the people and organizations who make it special. We are continually surprised by the warmth and love, not to mention financial contributions, we see here every day.

Yet, when we get bad news, we forget that this same community that is dealing with an economic challenge is one that has rallied many times before. We forget that just because it is happening elsewhere, doesn't mean it has to be a foregone conclusion here.

It is a metaphor of sorts for right now, today, and how this nation is handling what is becoming a very difficult time for many families.

It is naive to think that by simply wishing the world could be a better place that it will actually happen or that there really is a magic wand that can erase all the concerns. The reality is that to make a strong community, many people have to put their shoulders to the wheel and there will be ups and downs.

What matters, in the end, is really understanding the value of what we have -- and working together to protect it.

We hope today's edition will remind you that you live in a great community that has overcome many challenges and that there are strength, good ideas and possibilities here. All you have to do is look around.

Published in Editorials on February 27, 2009 11:04 AM