Communications Team Blog : 5.7.22
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
Another season has begun at Extreme Community Makeover (ECM); so much has changed in these past few years. It almost seems like a different world. One constant in all these changes is my work with ECM. I am grateful to have this community to come back to; friendly faces, helpful people, a place where I – we can serve. For me, it is a privilege to walk amongst these beautiful souls; to listen to them, to understand them, and to write their stories. The word on this Work Day was, CHANGES. My question to everyone was, in the past year or two, what is one thing you have noticed that has changed for the better or the worse in your life, community, city, state, our country, or the world?
Here are some of the responses to that question: Colorado has changed, there are too many people, homelessness has gotten worse, less enforcement of the law leading to more crime (shootings, theft, etc.), inflation – cost of housing, gas, food, energy has increased astronomical, less trust in our government, less trust in each other, we have a mental health crisis (suicide is up). The litter in our communities is shameful. There has been a breakdown of community and family. This next statement came from fifth grader, Wesley.
“Everyone seems to be in a bad mood, we have less unity…..we need to unite.”
Well, it seems like our youth can feel, see all the problems, too. Could our future be in jeopardy?? It seems to me that the citizens of the world have an opportunity to flip these changes and create the world we want to live in and pave the way for a better tomorrow.
As I shared these responses with other Extreme Teams members, an authentic, raw, and passionate conversation ensued. We all gave possible reasons as to why the world was going to “hell in a hand-basket”, but what I noticed is that everyone agreed that there was an opportunity for more change, change that we initiated, change that “WE THE PEOPLE” can influence in a more positive way. As the hot air was let out of a balloon that was on the verge of popping, the conversation moved to one of solutions or brought note to some of the good that “came from” the challenges. Some commented, I am more appreciative of my family and friends, downtown Denver’s vibe is changing…it is getting better, our neighborhoods are becoming more diverse, I am more grateful for the people in my life, we have turned graffiti into art, people are waking up!
I say, the time is ripe to build on this energy of positivity and creating good change - take the bad and turn it into good. Here are some of the ideas that surfaced during that much needed conversation: Inflation may exist, so maybe we start sharing our homes with grandparents, in-laws, redefining our living situation. Begin sharing more with our neighbors. We can keep an eye out for each other, perform wellness checks on friends, family, and neighbors…let’s have each other’s back.
We can take it upon ourselves to pick up trash in our neighborhoods or gather a group of people once a week and clean up our town. Say hello or smile more often, it can change a person’s day and maybe even a life. On a more personal level, we can start with changing ourselves; eat better, take a walk, get out into nature, grow a garden, volunteer, find joy in the simple things in life; like giving someone a hug, holding the door open, sharing a meal, reach out to our elderly.
Most importantly, we must reconnect. When we create separation we value each other less. We become intolerant, judgmental, and fearful. As Wesley said, “we get into a bad mood.” Wesley had it right, let’s come together…unite. Let our cause be, UNITY - focusing more on our commonalities and celebrating our differences. Through reconnection we can solve the problems together, build each other up, find new solutions, and unite in love and peace. Said so well in this song; Rise Up, “All we need is HOPE and for that we have each other”
“A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.”
~ Greek Proverb
- Lisa, Communications Team