Robert Owens
The Way Out of the Swamp
By
Jul 2, 2008 - 11:04:31 AM

Thinking about the national or international scene, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by feelings of powerlessness or anxiety.  It appears our nation is careening off a cliff into an abyss at home and thrashing around like a blind giant abroad. That gets discouraging to the 1% of the population engaged enough to realize what’s happening behind all the happy talk of comprehensive immigration reform, energy independence, and national health care. 

Have you ever walked through any of our local swamps?  Everything under your feet feels squishy.  When you step on a clump of grass, it feels like it could slide out from under you. The next step might find the brackish water two feet deep.  I’m starting to feel like that when I watch the national news, or if I’m brave enough to look at what’s happening in the world.

These things are shadows reflected in a mirror darkly as we attempt to live our daily lives wondering if we’ll be able to afford enough gas to work next week to make enough money to buy gas the week after.  I don’t know about you, but I have to find something that makes sense, is positive, uplifting, and relevant to my everyday life.

If you need to get your head out of the double-speak of national and international affairs and you’re looking for some way to make a difference in the world, I’d like to recommend local involvement.

Becoming involved locally has more than one benefit.  Not only do you get the satisfaction of  connecting the dots, but you meet people who’re interested in the same things you are, which is always a good foundation for a meaningful relationship.

There’re many organizations involved in trying to maintain the tremendous heritage we’ve been given and to make Chesterfield a better place to live.  There’s no way I could mention them all – the Scouts, the Parent Teacher Organizations, the Y – but I can tell you about a couple I’m personally involved in, just to give you an example of how friends and neighbors working together can realistically try to improve things through individual involvement and group action to make life more meaningful.

The Chesterfield County Friends of the Library advocate for the library system, helping raise funds to increase collections and improve service for the more than 200,000 residents who use the public libraries every year.

The Chester Community Association works to guide the growth in our community so that we don’t become a slurb of standardized boxes divided by multi-lane mini-expressways.  This group works for a vision of sustainable neighborhoods and local businesses combined with arts and services, connected by well-regulated traffic corridors and green space that allow residents to enjoy the natural splendor of our area.

The Chester Business Association consists of local entrepreneurs gathered together for fellowship and networking united in making substantial contributions for local improvements.  They provide leadership and workers for many of the events that help make this such an interesting place to live.

The Chesterfield Center for the Arts Foundation works tirelessly raising funds necessary to build a state-of-the-art center where local artists can share with their neighbors enriching the lives of all.  This center will also provide a focal point for the future development of Chesterfield as a leader in culture and refinement.

These are a few of the organizations laboring mostly without any recognition and without any fanfare to make all of our lives richer.  If you’re like me and are looking for somewhere to invest your time and energy, look around; I’m sure there’s an organization that’ll provide an avenue for your creativity and talents.  

I don’t want to make it sound like we can always organize and accomplish everything we want, but at least close to home, there’s a chance to get some things right, to make a difference in the way we really live.

Thinking about that swamp I was walking through back there in the second paragraph, what I’m looking for is a little solid ground, somewhere to stand, somewhere to make my life matter.  I’ve found it in local involvement, and if that’s what you’re looking for, why don’t you join in as together friends and neighbors work to improve the world.

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