Opinion: Alone We Can Do So Little; Together We Can Do So Much
Submitted by paula on Wed, 01/01/2014 - 5:26pm
Helen Keller wrote those words many years ago yet they continue to be very relevant today. As I look forward to 2014 I also like to reflect on another one of my favorite quotes, this one from Ghandi, "you must be the change you wish to see in the world."
As a community that is in the midst of change, we can be reminded of these quotes as we move forward and live in a town we're both proud of, and a vibrant part of.
We all know people that complain about South Lake Tahoe, they way it's run, decisions the council makes, and things that happen here. No matter what town one lives in there will be a lot of complaints. Why? Local government is the closest government that a citizen has access to. They can attend council meetings, see their elected officials at the store, and see direct results of decisions. The are just one step away from being a part of the solution, as well as being one step away from being a part of the problem.
I get tired of the complaining as I've always been one to do something instead of just talking about it (think Ghandi here). The two recreation workshops this fall were a great way that residents could have helped be a part of the solution. There have also been several Loop Road meetings and the city organized neighborhood team meetings.
How do we work together to create the community we all want?
Remember that what one person believes is the right way to do things will not be the way another thinks is correct. Compromise, working out details, banding together to make it work is the way to go. We have always worked together in the face of tragedy (Jaycee Lee Dugard, Angora Fire, for example), so why not work together in good times?
Volunteer. It may seem like the solution you hear all the time, but it is the truth. When you take part in something don't you feel more committed to it's success? There are many ways residents can volunteer in South Lake Tahoe: Join a commission, work on a political campaign, volunteer at a church, join a service club, join the board of a non-profit, start a neighborhood group or organize a clean up of your neighborhood, children's groups like Boys and Girls Club, see if Christmas Cheer All Year needs help, serve food at the weekly meals for those in need, help out at special events like the air show, concerts and parades.
Participate. Be involved in the work needed to be a successful town. How can you expect things to be for the better if nobody helps in the process?
Turn complaints into actions. Don't like something? See how you can change it.
Smile and be kind. Smiles and attitudes are contagious. What do you want those around you to catch? Treat your neighbors with kindness. Great people with a smile, even if you don't know them. Wouldn't it be cool if we could give Disneyland a run for their money on being the "happiest place on earth?"
We can do many small things at the local level that may be as simple as looking out for our neighbors. Change takes place not from above, but from within.
Be excited about the change
The Harrison Avenue project will start this spring. Won't it be a beautiful addition to our town? A more walkable and beautiful street that is part of the new Highway 50 project that was completed this past year.
A new Edgewood Golf Course and Lodge are going to come about in the near future. This ecologically sound project will bring an added desire to our visitors.
A proposed Loop Road project doesn't have to be a bad thing. We are a tourism based community and this will create another great way for tourists to enjoy South Lake Tahoe.
The Chateau project is moving forward after years of just being called "the hole." The fence will come down this spring and add more jobs and more things for people to do.
New businesses are coming to town. A shoe store next to TJMaxx, a BevMo, a new auto parts store and the restaurants and stores at the Chateau. While we may not think these businesses are the ones needed in town, at least companies are taking a chance of South Lake Tahoe and think it will be a success.
New recreational opportunities at Heavenly Mountain Resort with the summer time zip lines and opened up accessible space for people to use.
A focus on community events such as movie night at Lakeview Commons. While this may not be on your top 10 list of things to do in Tahoe, at least someone is thinking and trying things out. The new parades in town can be so big and exciting if people participate and get out to watch them.
As I started out I spoke of doing things together instead of alone. This is the time, more so than ever, to work together as a community to become not only a thriving and happy town, but as a place where people want to come to vacation and live.
Are you going to be a part of the solution in 2014?
- 2014
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- Watch
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