Tag Archives: #conflict management

The Book is Published

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The book I have promised is finally published.  I apologize for the time this has taken.  I needed to get it right.  It is “Liberty and the American Idea: Rebuilding the Foundations” by Tom Harriman.  It is now available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other booksellers.

Amazon is providing an unusually generous preview or “sample,” which includes the entire preface, introduction, and first chapter.

Regular readers of this blog will find the book familiar, yet detailed, thorough, and coherent.  I begin the introduction with the following words:

“Is there an ‘American idea,’ a shared understanding of the character and meaning embodied in American history? Would you like to think there is, or could be?

“What would you like to see accepted or discarded among the values, qualities, or attributes that contribute to our national character?

“While I am an American addressing Americans with this question, it is not my place to assert an answer.  Rather, I offer a brief review of ideas and influences that have made the United States what it is, followed by an invitation: A practical long-term strategy to make authentic dialogue actually possible among concerned citizens.”

The introduction goes on to explain the structure of the book.  Readers will find the proposed strategy supported by careful explanations and detailed guidance.  Dangers and stumbling-blocks are discussed frankly. 

This is a book about responsible citizenship and constructive action.

The preface to the book might also interest you.  Contributed by a distinguished historian and Professor of American Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, it harkens back to the foundations of the American Republic:

“’These are times that try men’s souls,’ Thomas Paine declared in ‘The American Crisis,’ urging patriots to rally during the darkest days of the Revolutionary War in 1776. In ‘Liberty and the American Idea’ Tom Harriman issues a similar call to action, urging Americans to work together to confront the deep challenges facing the nation today.

“Harriman’s book offers a two-part approach. First, he provides an unflinching diagnosis of the historical, social, and economic forces that have brought us to this critical juncture.  

“He [surveys] the erosion of civil society effected by ideological partisanship, ethical incoherence, rampant materialism, environmental pressures, and media disinformation that divides the nation and weakens its capacity to solve common problems effectively….

“However, unlike many appraisals of our ills, this book is also dedicated to providing constructive solutions and strategies for how to rebuild a functioning community life. It is a sincere plea to all citizens of goodwill to take pragmatic steps to restore a shattered social trust.”

I look forward to hearing from readers of the blog as we engage constructively in building an American future we can trust and believe in.

Tom

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

I expect to build a new website to better facilitate continuing dialogue.  I want to hear from you.  The URL will remain unchanged: http://www.freedomstruth.net.

Responding With Courage

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It can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the multitude of crises converging on our world and our lives.  How can we respond constructively?  There is always someone to blame.  Conflict and antagonism rule the day.  But the problems are real, hardship threatens our future, and safety is a growing concern. 

Those who understand what responsibility means will find ways to make a difference, and the most effective place to do so is in our local communities. This is where problem-solving matters most, where practical experience and skills are essential.  We need to know and trust our neighbors—all our neighbors.

It has been said that responsibility involves the “ability-to-respond,” but there is more to it than that.  How do we identify what needs to be done?  How can we possibly work with people we don’t know or understand?

Only when people listen to each other, start talking about shared problems, and try to collaborate, can we begin to seek security.  Are we willing to do this?

We face a changing reality that is becoming more challenging every day.  When we are ready to work together—serving the needs of families, of community and society—a dependable future becomes possible. 

Authentic community is a well-spring of trust, and we must be determined to make it so.  While our perceptions and understanding are inevitably limited, we know that honesty, truthfulness, and forbearance are essential. 

Our ability to act, to influence, to control our material destiny are all constrained, but we can set our hearts and minds to the foundation of trustworthiness.  Holding fast to this, our confidence can grow and be tested meaningfully. 

I will suggest here what might be a new idea for some of you.  Please give it consideration.

I believe that personal integrity depends on our navigating successfully within the boundary of an ultimate and immutable order—a first order that forms the basis for justice and morality. I cannot prove this, but perhaps you can see it.  I assure you that any endeavor which misperceives or ignores the underlying presence of fundamental order will come to naught.

The extent to which our actions and relationships are consistent with the ultimate ground of being will determine the extent to which we are capable of success.  Without it, the world slides toward darkness and dissolution.

If this is difficult for you believe, you can still choose to live consistently with it as an ideal, because justice and morality will always serve integrity. Let’s think about responsibility as our response to a dependable order: Confirming, reassuring, effective.  Responsibility works, even when nothing else works.

The covenant we have with one another is not political or religious or cultural.  It is human and it is American.  A trustworthy future will not be perfect, but it will be as safe as we can make it.

Tom

Regular readers can look for the next post on or about September 1.

My forthcoming book, “Liberty and the American Idea,” is now in the hands of my publisher. It will be available soon.  Several sample chapters can be found at the top of the homepage.

A Future We Can Respect

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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.

What is America

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We have choices to make.  They might differ from the choices we are used to thinking about, but these are not normal times.  Indeed, the challenges confronting us today are likely to worsen.  Faced with multiple crises and growing instability we will become ever more concerned about the future—about personal safety, family security, and the need for self-reliance.

Local neighborhoods are where this matters most.  My question for you is this: Will we seek dependable relationships with our neighbors—or pretend every day will be like the last?

With social order under duress, hardship increasing, and mental health breaking down, we can and must come together with our neighbors.  We cannot wait until we are already in trouble.  We need people in our lives who have practical skills, who are steady on their feet, who can help resolve local problems.  And we will need them regardless of their politics or religion or the color of their skin.

What are we afraid of?

Yes, strengthening interpersonal relationships takes time and commitment.  Trust must be time-tested.  And yes, this can only happen if we take initiative.

The first step is always ours to take.  We need just a few concerned friends and neighbors to form a nucleus of support.  We can think together, plan, and build trust.  Others will be attracted as our circle grows. The road to security begins with civility and is paved with dependability.  This is the only defense against calamity.

Some may say it’s too hard or too late.  I say that Americans are courageous, resourceful, resilient.  The United States was conceived in controversy; and the vision of the Founders came with recognition that wisdom and strength are found in diversity.

Indeed, it is argued here that diversity is the foundation for strength, and that the United States of America is a visionary assertion of this knowledge. The Founders gave us a structure.  It is our responsibility to make it work. 

Perhaps we have lost our way at times, stumbled, gotten sloppy.  But now it is time to pull together. Stability cannot be imposed from above in a free society.  The kind of strength we need comes from within—with courage, determination, and generosity of spirit.  And it can only be made real in active interpersonal relationships.

In finding our way through a multitude of crises we are forced to renew our values, think on our feet, and collaborate with others.  A creative process is now underway that would not be possible otherwise.

We are capable of rising above our differences.  We can allow one another the freedom to differ, to be misguided, to have a painful past.  We can address eachother respectfully.  Or, we can let the American vision and treasure slip between our fingers, and tip ourselves into chaos.

Some may think their principles are too important to be compromised.  Most of us, however, believe that the American Republic is worth defending, and that it is time for Americans to rise to the next level. The concept of unity within diversity did not exist prior to the founding of the United States.  The American Founders set humanity on a new course with a constitutional structure that accommodates diversity and facilitates collaborative problem-solving.

There are serious problems needing to be understood and resolved, and they cannot be addressed or even discussed when we are submerged in animosity. 

America has always been known for the clash of differing opinions.  Social, political, and religious pluralism is what America is all about.  This is who we are.

Consequently, constructive dialog is essential.  Problem-solving can be pursued to the extent necessary.  And it will only be possible if we allow trust to grow and be tested in functional working relationships.

Please share your perspective.  I value your feedback.

Tom

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

My forthcoming book offers a practical strategy for making this work.  I hope to see it published early in the coming year.  The Introduction, as well as an annotated Table of Contents and several sample chapters can be found at the top of the homepage.

American Crucible

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For more than two hundred years the United States has stood before the world as a beacon of hope, as a source of creative energy and as an evolving expression of political freedom, social diversity, and economic vitality. People everywhere have been attracted to the vision it represents.  Yet, the extraordinary challenges confronting the American people today mark a turning point and a defining test of America’s place in history. 

We have entered a dark time.  Confronted with economic degradation, with deep distrust and growing social disorder, it can be easy to forget the unique stature of the United States and the unfolding role it has played in the progress of an ever-advancing civilization.

Our economic well-being as a nation has been weakening for decades, and the generosity of spirit for which we have long been known has dimmed.  Confidence in the future is shaken.

But this is not the end of the story

A new beginning will be necessary to recover the resilience and generosity of spirit that has made us what we are.  It is time to rise to the next level.  There is truth in the unity of our national character—in our humanity and the dignity that has given Americans courage and self-respect.

Few have expected what we are seeing now.  Values, assumptions, expectations have all been disrupted.  Even so, America remains blessed with a constitutional order that respects the individual, seeks to protect both minorities and majorities, and makes room for diversity, innovation and creativity. 

The genius of the United States Constitution lies in a simplicity that imposes minimal restraint and allows maximum freedom—all the while requiring moral responsibility and functional cooperation. 

The Constitution is a legal document, carefully crafted in structure and intentionality.  But it is far more than a simple contract.  It embodies a vision and a trust.  It was prepared by men who cared deeply about the future and about Americans as a people.

This has been presented to us as the gift of an inheritance.  The freedom it promises is anchored in the wisdom of its legislative order, the protections it seeks for the individual, and the means with which it enables constructive change. These are among the elements of a non-partisan civil order that provides Americans with stability and the opportunity to forge a rational future.

The unique character of the Constitution depends on moral responsibility and the basic virtues we all know about: Truthfulness, trustworthiness, fairmindedness, forbearance—and a prudence that respects the interdependence of all the virtues.  This is written into the fabric of the American idea. 

Yet we are faced with unsettling questions, here and now.  And we are confronted with a multitude of serious crises. Will civil order be torn apart by resentments, distrust and frustration?  Will the nation survive as the constitutional republic envisioned by its founders?  Do we have the fortitude and grit to learn the lessons and reaffirm the vision that will lead to a genuine American renewal?

We are living at a pivotal moment. Are we prepared to embrace the spirit called for by the founders, which alone can lead to unity of purpose?  Or will we succumb to a rigidity born of insecurity and fear? 

The correction of mistakes cannot be addressed until we answer this question.  It must be addressed in dialog and in our hearts.  Civil disarray and social degradation will remain with us until it is.

What do we fear? 

A readiness to entertain differing views without altering one’s own is the measure of a mature person.  And we cannot seek solutions or influence change without an accurate understanding of what other people are thinking and why.

Only when the underlying conditions of conflict are fully understood, can it finally become possible to negotiate genuine security and collaboration. 

We will pay a heavy price for suspicion or defensiveness—when courage is only a step away.

Tom

Regular readers may watch for the next post on or about August 1.

An Introduction to the forthcoming book and several sample chapters are linked at the top of the homepage. To receive emailed alerts, you may click on the Follow button..

Truthfulness and Trust

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I have reminded you, not long ago, that no family, no community, no society can long endure in the absence of trust.  No principles, beliefs or opinions can be effective if we are unable to trust. It is possible to pull ourselves back from this downward spiral, but it will not be with a quick fix.  We must each focus first on our personal responsibility—on the necessary attitudes, behaviors, and virtues that form the basis for a stable society.

This, the American Founders warned, is what freedom would require of us. Do we understand?

Let me be clear.  The future of the United States will, in my view, depend on general recognition that truthfulness is essential at all times.  Yes, truthfulness—the truthfulness upon which all trust depends.

You laugh?

Well, my friends, you can laugh all the way to chaos and mayhem.  Because we have no choice.

Seeking liberty in a new order, the Founders introduced the Constitution with an extraordinary lack of constraints and restrictions.  They knew the future of the nation would depend on the behavior of its citizens, and they said so. 

Why is truthfulness necessary?  Why does civilized order depend on it?

Another virtue, sometimes called a “cardinal virtue”, is prudence.  And, if truth be known, all the virtues are prudent—for the simple reason that a civilized society depends on them.

The virtues, among which are patience, forbearance, compassion, and ethical consistency, are the means for securing a safe, stable and productive society.  These are not simply “nice ideas”; they are among the core tenets of human civilization.

Truthfulness is the foundation of all human virtues, and prudence is their purpose.

Where do we start?  Our society is heavily burdened by the discord and disunity that come with distrust.  Conflict and contention are the source of degradation and loss.

Actually, we do not need to agree on much to be trustworthy.  However, we do need demonstrate our trustworthiness.  And this can only be done in active, engaged relationships.

It will only be possible to build trust with civility, and with a genuine interest in understanding the reality of other people.  Those who differ from us come to their views and perspective by way of their experience, their hopes, fears, and disappointments. So it is that unity of action in a community is only possible where there is genuine dialog leading to authentic relationships. 

First, we need to agree with our neighbors only on resolving the immediate problems at hand. Accepting responsibility for interpersonal dialog contributes to safer neighborhoods, to meeting practical needs.  Kindness attracts loyalty.  Reciprocity engenders productivity.

Being realistic about this means preparing ourselves for situations that are sometimes frustrating.  This is our reality today.  A great deal of damage has been done. So, steadfast patience becomes essential, a way of being.  We must determine not to be compromised by difficult circumstances or diverted from our purpose.

Interpersonal relationships are the sinews of community, and communities form the foundations of a society.  Genuine dialog and ongoing working relationships build trust.  This is where the groundwork for stability is built.

Sometimes it takes courage to engage with people we don’t know or understand.  But without this we remain stuck in helplessness and in the dark. Without truthfulness and good will, constructive action is impossible and security is a mirage.

Finally, let us please beware that we not walk in the ways of those whose words differ from their deeds.  We see this all around us, and it is the kiss of death.

Be true to your words, and ensure that your actions are consistent, trustworthy and faithful.

Tom

Note to regular readers: You may look for the next post on or about May 1.

An Introduction to the forthcoming book and several sample chapters are linked at the top of the homepage: http://www.freedomstruth.net.

Who We Are!

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The American Founders made a determined effort to ‘see the end in the beginning’.  The Constitutional Convention of 1787 gave birth to a vision that generated inner fortitude and outer prosperity for more than two hundred years.  The Constitution has provided protections for both minorities and majorities which have remained firmly in place despite every upheaval.  It ensures the order necessary to make constructive change possible, and guides us through the patient discipline required to do so. 

Americans stand today at another decisive turning point in history which calls for the same kind of visionary maturity.

We are blessed with the oldest democratic republic on the planet, a brilliantly conceived structure that has channeled the creative initiative of immigrant peoples into a dynamic force for capacity-building and well-being. Basic order and consistency have survived throughout a contentious past, as the United States has advanced slowly, painfully, toward an ever-more just and inclusive society.

There have been inconsistencies, certainly.  There will always be work to do.

Most of the Founders appeared unable to imagine a multiracial society.  Slavery remained prevalent in the United States long after it was ended everywhere else in the European world.  This injustice was unique in a modern nation.

Yet the Constitution put a set of institutions in place that were capable of resisting injustice to an unparalleled degree.  We have been growing into this inheritance as we have matured.  Ours is the responsibility to give trustworthiness and fairness the strength and resiliency they require.  Prosperity will be unattainable without this.

The record has not always been pretty, but how could we expect anything approaching perfection when we throw the human race, gathered together from diverse roots, into the managed chaos which is the nature of freedom?

The human race has matured as America has matured.  The Constitution provides the structure; we must do the work.

Early in the twenty-first century the American people have splintered into isolated fragments, as fear and inflexible thinking dominate public discourse. Those citizens who defend the time-honored American traditions of pluralism and inclusion have found themselves isolated amidst the clamor and confusion of bitterness.

What is it, after all, do we suppose made America great?  May I make a suggestion?

The Constitution has provided a supple backbone for a vibrant, combative, and creative people.  It trusts citizens to live and act with moral responsibility.  Our behavior matters.  The Founders knew the success of the new nation depended on this, and they said so.

The lack of ethical leadership in America is one of the many signs of the breakdown of moral values in our society. Without such leadership it becomes necessary for each citizen to examine his or her assumptions and test them against the reality that confronts us.

We must try to become aware of our unconscious assumptions—what we assume to be true.  When unexamined assumptions are taken for granted, they can become “conventional wisdom”.  We imagine them to be “the truth”.

And so it is that self-styled “leaders” parrot back to us what they think we want to hear.

Americans need to take responsibility for the order given us by the Constitution.  It is not rational to expect someone else to make things right.  We are a sovereign people.

Responsibility is always personal. Until we accept this truth the world will disintegrate around us.

The Constitution provides a framework with which to apply ourselves.  It invites us to find our way into the future with loyalty, collaboration, reciprocity.

We are Americans.  We can do it.

Tom

A note to regular readers:  You may watch for the next post on or about April 2.

An annotated Table of Contents from the forthcoming book, as well as the Introduction and several sample chapters can be found at the top of the homepage.  I welcome your ideas and feedback.

Image courtesy of the Washington Plaza Hotel.

Safety and Self-reliance

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There are reasons why safety and self-reliance each depend on the other.  Both need trustworthy neighbors.  Both depend on rational thinking and foresight.  When we are confronted by growing disorder we would do well to think carefully about safety and self-reliance. Most of us can see that civil order is deteriorating.  And surely we know that when the going gets tough, our neighbors will matter to us.

What will happen when we can no longer depend on emergency services or well-stocked stores?  It might become impossible to get assistance from outside our neighborhood.

The community we live in, whatever it may look like, is where essential needs must be met, where social problems become personal problems, and where safety is a paramount concern. 

Do we know which skills are possessed by our neighbors?  Are we developing community gardens and learning how to preserve food? We will be confronted by necessity as the world unravels around us.  Those who ignore this, do so at their peril.

Local communities are where we have the most control—and the most to lose.  They must be made self-reliant by those who intend to be self-reliant. This is a commitment and source of strength.  But we need dependable neighbors with practical skills, knowledge and experience. 

Each of us is called to step forward, to build working relationships, to patiently encourage one another in constructive action. Making things happen will mean listening to our neighbors, learning what they know, and being ready to cooperate.  We are not used to living this way, but we can do it!

Necessity can only be met with courage, patience, and personal initiative.  With a positive attitude and a readiness to persevere, safety will come with unity of purpose. 

Community self-reliance comes alive in working relationships that cultivate trust and meet common needs.  Just as we learn by doing, so also do we earn trust—reaching out across differences in tradition, politics, and experience. 

Effective decision-making takes advantage of the knowledge and thinking of a diversity of perspectives and inputs.  If we listen to one another with genuine curiosity, drawing out constructive ideas, decisions will often produce more than expected.

As I have often said, there is no need to alter our values or views.  Agreement will only be necessary concerning the immediate needs at hand.  In the process we will come to know and better understand one another.  Dependable alliances and respectful collaboration will only emerge when we allow it.

The goodness in human beings is often veiled by injuries, sorrow and pain.  Lack of self-confidence often comes across as arrogance or aggressiveness.  We need to reach through the damage people have suffered, to free their hidden strengths and potential for loyalty.

It can require patience and compassion to uncover the beauty in someone who is being difficult or ugly.  We know it is there, because this is how human beings are made. Responsibility falls to each of us.  Freedom depends on it—for ourselves and for others. 

Those who persist in negativity should be left to themselves.  Still, whatever their attitude, we can assure them we stand ready to assist in time of need. It will be deeds and not words, giving and not taking, forgiveness and not blame, which will carry us through the darkness and out the other side.

Those of you who understand trust and responsibility—and who recognize the very high stakes involved—will build the foundations for the future. 

What is essential is that Americans stand together, making firm our commitment to easing and overcoming the anxiety and suspicion that swirl around us. We will refocus our vision and values with such strength of purpose that partisan politics will be powerless to subvert.

Tom

You may watch for the next post on or about September 1.

From the forthcoming book:  An annotated Table of Contents, a revised Introduction, and several sample chapters are linked at the top of the homepage.

Courage and Authenticity

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We are Americans!  When we encounter other Americans who appear quite different from ourselves, either in their character or their views, do we shun them?  Or, are we curious?  Do we test our assumptions honestly?  How will we discover the potential for dependable neighbors if we walk away with our first impressions?

This is an important question: Do we investigate the positive contributions people might have to offer—despite our differences with them?  How many good people are we willing to toss into the trash barrel of willful blindness?  What are we afraid of?

If we have no need of trustworthy neighbors today, the time is fast approaching when we surely will.

Practical needs are not the only thing that require good neighbors.  There will be no trust and no possibility of a secure future without real dialog.

Yes, starting conversations with strangers can cause a little discomfort.  But only at the start.  When we discover who our neighbors really are, and how their experience makes them who they are, we sometimes discover unexpected dependability.

Strangers rarely turn out to be what we imagined. 

Some people will reject our good will.  This is inevitable.  When people are governed by their fear and unable to respond with civility, leave them to themselves.  We must keep moving on. 

However, it is essential that we identify every potential friend and neighbor, every diamond in the rough, as society deteriorates around us.

When it comes to local necessities, nothing can be done without unity on some level.  Safety is found in trustworthiness, not partisan politics. It will only be with dialog and cooperation that Americans can navigate effectively through the narrow place in which we now find ourselves.

This wisdom is rooted in American history and heritage.  Let’s think about what we already know.  Recognizing and rethinking cherished assumptions is always difficult.  There is nothing new about this.  It is normal to feel uncomfortable with people who appear different from ourselves.

Emerson famously said: “People only see what they are prepared to see.” Stephen Covey put it similarly: “We see the world, not as it is, but as we are—or, as we are conditioned to see it.” 

While this conditioning is natural, it interferes with constructive problem-solving.  And, in today’s world our ability to solve problems is the essential problem. We may need to help others push past this, but let’s not be responsible for it ourselves. Building the future will best be pursued with uncluttered emotions, clear vision and a pure heart. 

Albert Einstein once said, ironically: “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” The reasonable person shudders at the immensity of the task.  But we do have the means to respond constructively. Americans are resourceful!

The path to a future we can respect and believe in actually exists.   It must be secured.  And, we do not need to change our values or views to contribute our skills and positive energy.

Trustworthiness develops with interactive engagement.  Working relationships that accept the mystery of differences and diversity need not be threatening.

In my view, the key to this riddle is best described by the Christian philosopher Henri J.M. Nouwen: “You don’t think your way into a new kind of living,” he wrote. “You live your way into a new kind of thinking.”

The kind of creative action Pastor Nouwen is talking about would be impossible in isolation.  Living our way into a new way of thinking can only take place in dialog and authentic community.

I have used the word “authentic” often.  What does it mean?  Certainly, something that is authentic is the “genuine article”.  Or I could say I am my “authentic self” when I am being consistently genuine in my words and actions.

So, let me be clear:  Authentic community is far more than one structured in a particular way.  Rather, it is one in which we share “a new kind of thinking”.  It can only be built on the foundation of trustworthy relationships.  And trust can only develop with experience—with genuine interest, practical engagement, and productive consultation. 

Tom

You may watch for the next post on or about August 1.

From the forthcoming book:  An annotated Table of Contents, a revised Introduction, and several sample chapters are posted at the top of the homepage.

Past and Future

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Americans have an extraordinary history and heritage as a nation—a vision and exemplary model for governance which are unprecedented in the world.  As citizens, it is an honor to be responsible for this.  We are called to ensure a future that is free, just, and constructive. 

We are also challenged by the shadow of a violent and contentious past, and now the looming threat of a multitude of crises.  We can easily lose ourselves in self-doubt and endless recrimination—forever relitigating the details of a very human past.  But learning from the past is made real by living our best intentions into the future.

Americans cannot afford to compromise a commitment to an honorable future.  While it is quite true that responsibility depends upon truthfulness, the future also depends on the maturity, understanding, and generosity of spirit that will enable the United States to secure civil order and a free society.

We are Americans; we can do this together.

As individuals, there is but one way forward—personally and without constraint–and this is within our own local communities.  It is for this reason that I have challenged us all to rise above our differences, to engage with one another in the authentic dialogue necessary for problem-solving.

The necessities of shared needs cannot be compromised.  Safety and survival will soon require that we think about what we can accomplish by working together.

Doing this effectively will allow communities to address the future constructively.

We find ourselves confronted today by extraordinary circumstances, a multitude of dangerous and deepening crises.  And yet, this narrow place in American history presents an unprecedented opportunity.

We must rise to the next level, having no choice but to turn to the future with clear-eyed intentionality.

Herein lies the importance of knowing and understanding our neighbors; listening to one another with genuine interest despite our differences.  The failure to engage constructively will threaten the future as threats grow.

The number and diversity of crises confronting us is unparalleled.  Most of us know that something has changed.  The experience of normalcy has evaporated.  Our lives are disrupted and the end is nowhere in sight.

The world is experiencing dramatic structural change.  The rapid development of digital technology without accountability, exponential population growth, the loss of farmland and access to clean water, unprecedented weather—all this imposes on our lives even if it is happening elsewhere.

This is inevitable and no one’s fault.  That it has generated confusion and divisiveness is hardly surprising.  It is natural to look for someone to blame, but this is not useful.

Will we pull ourselves together as Americans did during World War 2, to make America whole?

In the midst of rapidly changing conditions, in a world confronted by hardship and awash with fear, we are forced to discipline ourselves as responsible, trustworthy people. 

The foundation for well-being is trust.  This is the secret of integrity in inter-personal relationships, in communities and in nations.

Dependable neighbors may soon become our only source of security.  We need to know how to make this work, and it begins with ourselves.  We might need to be trustworthy even when no one else notices or reciprocates.

It is true that trust lives in relationships.  It cannot exist in isolation.  And, yes, good-will is helpless if the relations between us remain unchanged.  However, trustworthiness is personal and in fact begins with ourselves!

To establish true community, we must turn away from the impersonal collectivism of mass society—to represent our real selves in authentic relationships.

We prove ourselves ready for community by living genuinely with others as dependable, trustworthy co-workers and neighbors.

Each of us is responsible independently.  No one can do this for us.

Tom.

You may watch for the next post on or about June 4.

A note for new readers: A project description and several sample chapters from the forthcoming book are posted in draft at the top of the homepage.

What Is True Leadership?

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How can responsible people respond to the multiplicity of crises confronting us?  How can we best protect our families and strengthen our communities?  We have been discussing the growing need to create safety in the face of deteriorating conditions.  You don’t need me to draw you a picture.

What does it mean to take initiative?  I invite you to think about this constructively.  We will need to rethink our assumptions about the nature of leadership.

We see examples of assertive, self-styled leadership on the news every night—people who want us to think they have everything all figured out.  I think most of you know this is not what we need. In a rapidly deteriorating social order, safety and security are actually local concerns.  To think and act responsibly will mean engaging effectively with our neighbors, regardless of our differences.

I do not think we will get very far if we depend on those we see parading themselves self-assuredly on the evening news.

In the oncoming confluence of crises, effective problem-solving will depend on our neighbors. And it will only begin when we engage with respectful sensitivity in every interpersonal relationship.

Taking initiative does not, and should not, be associated with leadership in the usual sense. We have never imagined facing such extraordinary circumstances.  It is understandable to doubt ones’ own capabilities.  But there is work to be done.  Needs must be met and conflicts averted. 

As individual citizens we are called to recognize and respond to immediate local needs as they present themselves.  None of us can resolve the great questions and complexities in today’s world.  But necessities will confront us each day with real consequences.

We are not helpless.  Words can be misunderstood and people can be manipulated, but consistent responsible action speaks for itself.  It will never be too soon to initiate dialog and foster collaboration.

I will share a few thoughts here on personal initiative and collaboration.

When forming relationships with neighbors you may find your efforts appreciated by only a few.  Do not be disheartened!  Even a small number of those ready to listen will allow productive endeavors to take root.  A nucleus of thoughtful citizens can consult about local needs, begin to plan, and build trust.

Your initiative will be appreciated by perceptive neighbors.  Indeed, some may project a leadership role on you against your wishes.  This could become problematic.  You will not be happy with the consequences of such assumptions.

With the nation in a devastating downward spiral of dishonesty, delusional behavior, and pervasive fear, true leadership has never been more needed.  But, never has it been perceived with greater suspicion.  Responding effectively to clearly apparent needs will not be possible if we present ourselves as lightning rods.

Responsibility and constructive action are integrally related.  We can invite others to join us in exploring how this works.  Leadership is best shared and understood as grounded in the community itself.

In authentic community, true leadership assists us to overcome fear and hesitation.  It encourages responsibility and fosters trust.  Effective leadership can see the end in the beginning, and understands the road ahead when others only see stumbling blocks. 

Leadership remains calm in the fog of uncertainty, and unperturbed by the anxieties of others.  It patiently gathers frightened or troublesome people to unite in response to practical necessity.

This kind of leadership proceeds with a self-effacing demeanor and a low profile.  It often goes unrecognized, and this is as it should be.

When a genuine leader has been effective, a community will feel they have been assisted to take on challenges and win success for themselves.  And, when a truly great leader has been present, people will say only, we did this ourselves.

Tom.

You may watch for the next post on or about May 1.

Where the Future Begins

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In today’s world we cannot wait for the future to come to us.  Constructive action begins with us, in our own neighborhood, and it begins today.  The small steps that form the basis for safe, dependable communities can begin any time today or tomorrow.  And the small steps are the most important.  If we seek a future we can respect and believe in, our first responsibility is to know our neighbors.  This is the foundation of dependability. 

If we are serious, we will gradually cultivate the relationships that get things done.  Each of us is capable of dignity and civility and a concern for local problem-solving.  We do not need to agree on everything—only about what needs to be accomplished.

Given the prevalent atmosphere of distrust and alienation, this will call for steadfast patience and determination.  Some of your neighbors will welcome your initiative, while others may perceive you with uncertainty or outright suspicion. 

There are many ways to reach through these barriers.  Practical initiative is best served with compassion, generosity of spirit and an open attitude.  But self-discipline must come first.

Where remnants of alienation persist, we must tread respectfully and make our goodwill clear.  If someone asks to be left alone, we can assure them of our respect and readiness to respond in time of need. We can also maintain occasional contact without becoming an irritant.  The simplest gestures can break the ice, even after long periods of time.

What is important is that we sustain dependable relationships with as many of our neighbors as possible.  When crises loom, this can save lives.  We cannot wait for what’s coming.  We must prepare for it.

The character or attitudes of neighbors can become a liability when we least expect it.  We cannot afford exposure to unknown perils, whether they are next door or down the street and around the corner.

While genuine relationships are the goal, we should not to rush into intimacy.  Ask questions, listen well and be compassionate.  Prove your dependability through attentiveness and responsibility—but tread carefully.

Avoid saying what does not need to be said.  Some will press you about personal beliefs.  We can respond deferentially while expressing a concern for good will and dependability. When differences become obvious, it will always be helpful to express a readiness to respond supportively in time of need.

In the beginning, you may find your initiative appreciated by only a few.  But don’t be disheartened!  Only small numbers are needed for discussion, planning and problem-solving.

With the nation in a devastating downward spiral of dishonesty, delusional behavior, and pervasive fear, true leadership has never been more needed.  But, never has it been perceived with greater suspicion. So, tread lightly.  Responding to clearly apparent needs with initiative and effective organizing will not be possible if we present ourselves as lightning rods.

Genuine leadership is exercised subtly and with humility in the world as it is today.  I am not talking about modesty.  This is a practical concern.  Taking initiative does not, and should not, be associated with leadership in the usual sense.

Under such conditions as we face today, each of us is called to respond to needs as they present themselves.  We have never imagined facing such extraordinary circumstances or being challenged in these ways.

It is understandable to doubt ones’ own skills and effectiveness.  But there is work to be done.  Needs must be met and conflicts averted. 

As individual citizens, what does this mean?  The challenge is personal.  None of us can have assurance about resolving the great questions and complexities we now face.  But necessities will confront us each day with real consequences.

We are not helpless.  Words can be misunderstood and manipulated, but action speaks clearly.  It is never be too early to initiate dialog and to foster collaboration.

Tom

You may watch for the next post on or about April 2.

Note to readers: A project description and several sample chapters from the forthcoming book are posted in draft at the top of the homepage