I have a lot to say about this, as you might well imagine. Much of what I will write will no doubt be filtered by my own experiences with the various communities that I have been familiar with. I have studied a lot about this, and I have come to some very definite conclusions. This series of ideas will probably take up a lot of blog posts over a long time, but bear with me. As communities evolve over time, and as our understanding of what makes communities great also evolves, my own ideas will certainly change. But I think that I have identified several basic ideals that help to foster positive community experiences.
The first ideal is community involvement. We all live here. This is our community. In fact, while the built environment is often highlighted in our ideas of what a community is, it is the people who live here, work here, and play here that make our community what it really is. The extent to which each individual becomes involved in creating this community is the extent to which the community will succeed in reaching its full potential. In short, if you are not involved actively in the community, the community as a whole suffers. Each of us has different idea of what we need from our community, and those needs change over time. I, for example, am very interested in the schools that my children will be attending. Are they safe? Are they good places for learning? Does the community support the efforts of the schools? In Mont Belvieu, the answer to these questions seems to be a resounding YES!
As my children grow, there will be other concerns: will they be able to find a job? Will their educational opportunities in the area be sufficient for their overall goals in life? Will the community that they grew up in retain the same essential character?
As my parents age, I am concerned about opportunities for their well-being as well. How will we take care of them? How will their needs be met for a place that is less maintenance intensive yet attractive and homey? Will they have access to medical facilities that are needed? Will they further have the opportunities for community involvement and activity that they need?
A good community finds the answers to all of these questions, as well as the concerns of each community member. It is only together that we can find the solutions that we need.
So what? My needs are being met. Why should I be concerned or involved with others? As I mentioned above, every one needs different things at different times of their lives. It is important to plan for our own future rather than resting on the laurels of the past. When our own time of crisis comes, it may be too late to correct deficiencies in our community, and we will be forced to look elsewhere for our needs.
Your voice is important in our community. Your apathy creates a hole that cannot be filled by someone else. Only you can adequately express your ideas. And only on this local scale can one person make a significant difference. Get involved! If something is not right, say something! If you have a good idea, share it!
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