We are living through an extraordinary transition in human history, a fraught passage between a technically advanced but disintegrating past and an ultimately coherent, sustainable, and civilized future. The distress we are experiencing is very real. The present challenges may feel new to some, but they have been coming on for years. The crisis deepens, but it is not new.

A future we can believe in and respect will demand a lot from Americans. Getting there will require steadfast patience and immense resolve. Most of all, it will call for an attitude and frame of mind that reaches far beyond partisan hostilities.

It will be necessary to respond in a way we are not accustomed to. We must remain even-tempered, creative, and constructive. Dishonesty and disagreeable behavior are guaranteed to continue, but we are strong.

The only future that matters will be built with genuine human caring and generosity of spirit.

You might think this to be impossible. Well, I’m sorry, but we have no choice. We will need to spare no effort. In extreme conditions we may discover we have strength or stamina we did not know we had.

The alternative will be to watch the future descend into a deepening abyss, a nightmare of degradation for ourselves and our children.

Constructive action must be pursued determinedly and responsibly by citizens who can bring themselves to engage meaningfully with those they differ with—to rise above our differences no matter what the response. The strongest among us are those who have suffered in the past. Our greatest resources will be people who have known hardship and have prevailed.

Please keep in mind that it might be helpful to back away occasionally for quiet moments to collect our thoughts.

What do we know? Humankind was never an experiment and never a mistake. Our extraordinary capacity as human beings allows us to overcome the challenges created by an energetic spirit and over-active imagination.

The weaknesses of egotism, selfishness, and dishonesty are the failures of individual people, not the failures of the human race. Pain and suffering are afflictions, not ultimate destiny.

We have responsibility for identifying and serving the purpose for which we exist: To engage the inborn promise of a just, trustworthy, and prosperous civilization. A coherent future will depend on authentic dialogue and collaboration—and a state of mind that remains steady in the midst of turmoil.

I come to you with the premise that safety, well-being, and economic stability all depend on a firm foundation in local communities. Practical guidance is available from many sources. My forthcoming book may assist you to focus effectively. It offers a practical vision and the means for advancing constructively.

We can expect extremes of civil disorder and social degradation in the coming years. Our determination and fortitude must not falter. Without authentic communities we will remain vulnerable and ineffectual.

So, what do I mean by “authentic community?” I am not talking about geography. I am talking about people, interactive relationships, shared purpose, and supportive institutions.

Authentic community transcends the diversity of social, religious, and political differences. It consists of engaged and trustworthy relationships. It involves commitment to local problem-solving and meeting shared needs.

Authentic community is actualized by engagement in meaningful dialogue and collaborative endeavors, supported by local institutions and the varied interest associations of civil society.

This will not come easily because most of us have little or no experience with true community. But the potential is real. Our friends and neighbors will find it increasingly attractive as their circumstances deteriorate.

A genuinely functional community is a living network of dependable relationships that supports personal, social, and economic well-being. Yet, it is far more than that.

Community encourages a consciousness that embodies ethical integrity, respectfulness, and caring. This provides strength and resilience in the face of duress.

Community supports coherent thinking and collaborative action. It transforms uncertainty into purpose and generates the fortitude to withstand hardship.

You are invited to explore this potential—to form a nucleus of support in your neighborhood, to think together, to learn and plan and grow.

Tom

Regular readers can watch for the next post on or about May 1.

My forthcoming book, “Liberty and the American Idea,” is being prepared for publication. The Introduction, an annotated table of contents, and several chapters can be found at the top of the homepage.