These were the directions my grandmother gave me when I was very little on how to cross the street.

When we came to a crosswalk we would STOP and LOOK both ways to see if there were cars coming from any direction and LISTEN for noises that might indicate that there was a vehicle coming from around a corner or hidden behind a building or tree, headed our way that we might not see right away.

It has served me well over the years and in ways I would never have suspected. It was a general life lesson!

The world is changing in so many ways and at rocket speed. With all the changes comes anxious uncertainty. It is important to STOP, recognize the changes and to plan for the future.

So, I ask, “where do you want Chugwater to be five or ten years from now?” “How does that LOOK?” “When do you start the enormous task of progressing to the future? LISTEN to the information available and learn what it takes to get to the future Chugwater. STOP and help the leaders who will be in the position of leadership get our town to that future spot. Other great lessons from my grandmother were, “many hands make light work,” “every little bit helps”, and “you get more with honey than vinegar”.

These are more than just sayings. They are packed with a lot of truth and wisdom. At every level of leadership, the desire to serve is becoming more difficult. Why? Because in large part, of all the misinformation spilled out through the internet coupled with all the critical rhetoric that Facebook and other feeds have taken.

Chugwater Cares started out in Covid times, by a “caring” group of Citizens that felt it was important for neighbors to help neighbors. Neighbors who needed groceries or other errands ran because they could not go out or they needed a kind word to know that someone “cared”. It was a sign to each other and an example to the outside world that our small town cares about each other!

Look at how that has morphed into something much different!

My grandmother taught me that, “sticks and stones can break our bones, but words will never hurt us” and “what goes around, comes around.”

Unfortunately, unkind words and false statements do hurt. Not only the targeted individual but also the whole town, because the bickering and negative comments are seen by the universe.

Who wants to be in office and spend an enormous amount of time to keep up with local, county, state and federal guidelines and mandates just to be criticized and put on the defense?

Let us get back to neighbor helping neighbor. Asking “what can I do to help” rather than criticizing every move of those who put their time and effort into staying on top of the mandatory requirements and meshing all that information with community vision and desires. Leadership is going to change shortly. Look at those who are running for office, and vote for who will help lead our community through the next few years. Give them your support in kind words and by giving them your time to help move things in the right direction.