Our national mirror has reflected the best and worst of us over the past two years. Our Better Angels got knocked off balance by complex societal influences that surfaced during the 2016 political campaigns. The Presidential election marked a dramatic punctuation point to this unprecedented political turmoil. Period. The Women's Marches subsequently unleashed a counter-balancing energy. And speaking of women, Mother Nature may have had the most influence of all. Let's Mosey and consider some positive net results and possibilities for true community. And what our roles might be.

In a speech to a group at Harvard, Muhammad Ali was asked to "give us a poem." He paused a few seconds, then thoughtfully reflected, "ME. WE." Considered by many to be the shortest poem ever written. I had enjoyed this Glenn Ligon interpretation in the lobby of The Studio Museum of Harlem and immediately thought of it to help me with this theme. Thanks for joining me on this brief descriptive journey.

ME. WE.  THE DISCOVERY...From ME about WE...

Our discovery phase came about during the political campaigns, when many of us came to realize that, for numerous reasons, many of us had become too comfortable and distracted to realize that an increasing number of our fellow citizens were hurting. WE had lost touch. A growing number of Americans were becoming alienated from their insensitive government, fearful, hopeless and wanting change. This alienation was tapped into by Bannon and Trump and The Tea Party, and the election is now in the history books. Too much ME, too little WE.

ME. WE.  THE AWAKENING...WE Start Paying Attention

The awakening of the Sleeping Giant of participatory government relates to the Women's Marches, where a turnout beyond the wildest imagination of the organizers brought a dramatic reminder of "We The People" potential. The "WE" became expanded numbers of activists and interest groups committed to be more effective in representing the issues of women, children and families. And responsible journalists sprang back to action, after being seduced by the campaign noise. Many activist initiatives were created or enhanced by this energy, though the net result still seems too much "us vs. they" to me. Our tribal tendencies are still prevalent. However, a positive by-product of the activist energy...WE are paying attention again.

ME. WE.  MOTHER NATURE HUMBLES US...WE Become WE

Mother Nature did what no campaign strategist could. It literally leveled the community playing fields as it leveled communities, on several coasts and on the fire-swept slopes of the Northwest. Rich and poor, folks of every possible background. Every race, ethnicity, gender, sexual preference and political ideology. Their survival and livelihood dependent on  selfless cooperation, compassion, love, trust and personal initiative. And the positive stories of neighbors and strangers and first responders and out-of-towners doing what needed to be done are countless and continuing to this moment. Many Better Angels have risen to their occasion, forsaking any of society's labels to follow their better instincts. WE are again becoming WE.

So What Do WE Do Now?

The Mosey mantra is "Slow Down, Pay Attention, Be Informed and Act Accordingly." The monumental natural tragedies have softened some politicos, stirred considerable nonpartisan community action, and mobilized groups and individuals from all walks of life to join the recovery efforts. And it should be lost on no one that there will be NO rebuilding without considerable immigrant labor. From BOTH sides of the Mexican border.

So, what do WE do now? If we've suffered losses ourselves, we're living the challenge. If not, WE can engage our friend in the mirror and pledge to model our Better Angels in serving our neighbors, our communities and those strangers whom we might have ignored in the past. We better understand how fragile our communities can be, and that none of us are immune from the consequences of major tragedies. We better appreciate the interdependence of ME and WE. WE can act accordingly.

ME. WE. Not just a short poem. An invaluable reminder of the essence of community. WE will determine the future of our communities.