The good we can do now

The Woodstock Village Green is lighted with the traditional luminaries for Wassail Weekend. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

When life is fast-paced and ever-changing, we often move past the current moment, not thinking much of it. Oftentimes, thought drifts to the past or the future, causing us to move quickly toward the next step in our day. With that approach, we might miss valuable opportunities to reflect on the meaning of what we’re doing — in other words, opportunities to let quiet, reflective moments guide us. 

With much reflection over the past nine months, I’ve gained a new appreciation for those opportunities, which I didn’t pay enough attention to previously in my career. There’s no harm in stopping and thinking about what’s driving us from moment to moment. Indeed, doing so might open the door to ways we can use those present moments to more greatly benefit ourselves and others. Who knows, that could lead to more ways to help family, friends or neighbors, or spark that one bright idea to advance an important project, or to start a new endeavor we hadn’t thought about. 

Sometimes these more meaningful moments are planned parts of the day, or they just happen. But, I’ve found it’s important to allow them some space within our minds. Rather than drifting away from the “now”, we can get more comfortable with it and let current moments take root and propel inspiring thoughts. It’s like having a painter’s palette, with a full range of colors, or moments, and we decide what to create with them. We each have the opportunity to make beautiful things out of the present moment, and with that comes the chance to embrace the good we can do, right now.

— Gareth Henderson

Resilience for the holidays

Holiday lights brighten the evening in downtown Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

When times are tough, our resilient spirit comes out, and that’s the kind of strength people have shown while facing the many obstacles of 2020. Even when the pandemic reached new heights, we still shared our humanity by helping one another and finding ways to uplift the community. 

Of course, a good example of this has been the holidays, where old traditions have found new virtual homes to share the joy of the season. Case in point: the annual Wassail Parade in Woodstock, Vermont, has gone virtual, featuring festive photos and videos submitted by the community. It starts online Saturday at 10 a.m. at this link, the result of a partnership between the Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce and the High Horses Therapeutic Riding Program. Many familiar faces and favorite costumes will be seen, bringing the fun of the parade into people’s homes.

Understandably, many are still getting used to this new holiday experience, amid the numerous restrictions on gatherings and other rules that are now commonplace. But people are finding ways to celebrate and share the holiday spirit, as seen in the numerous holiday lights set up throughout Vermont and many other regions. The message is clear: Though activity is limited, the holiday spirit is unlimited and still finds expression no matter what is happening in the world. As we prepare for the rest of the holiday season, it is indeed comforting to know that we can still find joy and peace during this time. The best qualities of our human experience are still intact and deeply held within us. On days when those qualities seem in short supply, we can pause and know they are still around, still being expressed — and sometimes, they are just around the corner, waiting for us to embrace them.

— Gareth Henderson

The year of our creative soul

A stream quietly runs near Cloudland Road in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Creativity has soared to new heights over the past nine months, as more quiet, reflective moments led many people to discover new creative abilities within themselves. In some cases, those discoveries prompted new hobbies, while for others, they prompted a reinvigorated career path, or a new one altogether.

Whatever the case, creative energy runs deep in human beings — we all have it. This quality is certainly not a novelty brought into existence by the happenings of 2020. Rather, it's been unveiled like never before, in part because of the numerous opportunities to witness creativity online, from across the world. The great beauty is that different individuals express creativity in different ways, adding to the richness of this collective life experience as a global family.

We've all experienced the inspiring abundance of music, art and creative talent through Zoom or Facebook, which keep bringing us these fulfilling experiences amid current restrictions. This has led to more people taking part in those special audience moments only the arts can provide. But the significance of this creative boom is likely to go beyond expressions of art and culture. The confines of business and government may find creativity to be a useful path toward groundbreaking solutions to major issues. Indeed, today’s obstacles require going far beyond the routines and habits of thought involved with more conventional approaches. We'll have to break the mold, and challenge ourselves.

Thankfully, that creativity is alive and well within us, and ready to be harnessed. We can take that brilliant creative spirit we all have, break through barriers, and use it for the greater good. Despite current circumstances, there is hope, and it shines out from the creative soul we all share.

— Gareth Henderson

Life through a different lens

Clouds catch their last glimmers of light on Sunday, as seen from Route 4 in West Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The impact of 2020 and its myriad challenges is something we'll be processing for years to come. But one thing is true for many: We see life through a different lens now.

To that point, it's instructive to revisit one of the biggest examples of this shift, early on in the pandemic. That's a renewed, collective emphasis on what matters most in life — largely a function of being at home far more often, having more time to spend with family and friends, and reflecting on new ways to grow as a person.

Many people have learned a lot during this time, and we'd like to sit down and share those experiences with those we love, beyond the usual call or email. For a lot of people, however, that's not possible this holiday season, due to tighter state restrictions on gatherings. To not have that ability this year is painful for many, especially in a year when we've all gone through so much. That said, people are finding interactive ways to still make the holidays special and gather virtually, thanks to the Zoom platform we all know so much about now.

Perhaps that's one lesson we take from 2020, to innovate more, using the technology that is all around us and always developing. At the same time, seeing life through a different lens has given us a greater awareness of other things that are all around us, such as the opportunity to enjoy nature, or to take a few minutes to chat with a friend. These are things we may not have embraced as much in a different year, when the routine of business and daily life were fully undisturbed. But here, in this moment, these smaller points have been renewed in our lives and are showing their true worth. Now, it's up to us to continue to embrace them, let them enrich us, and remain open to the opportunities they bring. Just as courageous sailors have followed the north star, let us find that same guiding presence in what life is teaching us, in this changing world where new views of ourselves brighten the path to lasting progress.

— Gareth Henderson

A source of enduring strength

A view of Route 12 in Woodstock, Vermont, facing toward Barnard. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Whenever there is turbulence in life, it seems we're stuck in a storm trying to struggle our way back to more peaceful waters and calmer shores. What we're really seeking is something to center us.

A sense of constant good can be that guide, even if that quality isn't always obvious to human eyes. It seems to me that, while certain human events can bring some measure of hope and others bring us down, the way to stay centered is to focus on the good we can bring to each day and try to recognize that goodness in other people.

This can be done, even though some days it is tougher than others. Either through seeing it or reading about it, we've all witnessed this year how much people can show goodness, care and love to others at times of need. It's natural for us, to extend that helping hand to a neighbor, including those we don't even know. At the core of it, we are innately good.

As I write that last sentence, I'm reminded of the totality of 2020, and it's daunting, to say the least. The year seems to have wrested our lives out of our control, and progress looks like a fleeting thing. However, in recent months, expressions of good have given lasting hope. We've seen helpers lift others up amid the tumult, we've seen grace and strength resist adversity, we've seen crucially important work empowered to press on despite the circumstances.

These are all expressions of that calm, centering core of our goodness, which points us toward the enduring strength that will see us through these tough times. That good is there as a guide to all of us. The most difficult issues we face will take different forms, but good endures, and helps us each step of the way. No pandemic, no social strife, no political turmoil can ever take that from us. Challenges can give us the courage to rely on the best within us, and that’s a strength we can always call on.

— Gareth Henderson

Breaking down divisions

A stone wall runs alongside River Road in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The problem of divisiveness in the U.S. has grabbed many headlines in recent months, and it can seem like nobody is trying to turn the tide. But some groups are.

Braver Angels is one of those organizations, and it was heartening to see this recent CBS report about their work, which speaks about how they're trying to bridge the current political divide by providing opportunities for constructive dialogue between those who disagree. As described on their website, this national nonprofit aims "to bring liberals and conservatives together at the grassroots level — not to find centrist compromise, but to find one another as citizens. Through workshops, debates, and campus engagement, Braver Angels helps Americans understand each other beyond stereotypes, form community alliances, and reduce the vitriol that poisons our civic culture."

That vitriol has led to automatic demonization of the opposing party, and, for some, strong criticism of any effort to bridge the political divide. As mentioned in the CBS segment, the Pew Research Center recently found that 9 out of 10 registered voters believe that a victory by the opposition would do "lasting harm" to America.

However, Bill Doherty, a co-founder of Braver Angels, is hopeful that some are realizing this is an unsustainable pattern for the country.

"I think people are starting to realize we can't go on this way," Doherty told CBS. "I have hope that we're going to wake up and see divisiveness and polarization as our enemy, not people on the other political side."

It's clear that increasing divisiveness and declining compassion for people we disagree with is not a recipe for progress. In fact, it's a recipe for the exact opposite. To truly move forward as a country, we must work to understand each other "beyond stereotypes" and relate to each other as people first.

In an ideal world, this work could be accomplished without being concerned about which political side someone occupied. That said, this is the place we find ourselves in today. Hopefully, groups such as Braver Angels can build alliances that help people work together for a better, more unified nation. If we look beyond our own comfortable silos, where the things we agree with reverberate back to us, we may surprise ourselves with how well we can relate to some of the folks we call "the other side." Making progress together as an entire country will be extraordinarily challenging. But we have to try, and I believe that, after many hurdles, this perseverance will do great good.

— Gareth Henderson

Rediscovery: Making space to create

Saturday’s epic sunset viewed from River Road in Woodstock, Vermont. (Julie Shoemaker Photo)

2020: It's been a mountain to climb. But along the way, it's also been a year of rediscovery. In many cases, people are once again enjoying hobbies and talents they drifted away from years ago. After COVID hit, they had the time for it while being stuck at home. For some, those rediscovered activities still persist into the colder months, as they became part of their routine.

In my case, tennis was the choice, starting part-way through the summer and into the fall. A friend and I started playing at least once a week, often on a Saturday. That is the sport I love to play most, and it felt great to revisit the hardcourt. Not only did it add more fun and exercise to life, it also broke up the weekly routine by taking me away from the desk for a long stretch — which was a good and healthy thing. Being outside is always better than hours in front of screens, however productive the screen time might be.

Many other folks can relate, as well. Around the world, people have revisited favorites ranging from soccer to drawing and sewing, this CNN report shares. In many cases, these activities had been abandoned in favor of work and home life. Today, it seems a lot of people have reinvigorated their lives through hobbies and talents previously shelved. Perhaps they can help cultivate positive energy, strengthen purpose and be a force for overall progress in life. Such influences are important, especially now, and they can be the light that guides us through darker days. Finding new-old ways to enjoy life unlocks inspiration and sparks our creativity in exciting ways. Having more of those experiences gives us motivation to reach new heights, and helps us look forward and make progress. In short, it opens up more space for the best in all of us to shine. That's the kind of viewpoint we all could use more often.

— Gareth Henderson

Reflecting with the rain

The Ottauquechee River on a dreary day along River Road in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Some days feel like they're charging ahead, others have you along for a gentle stroll. The steady November rain made Monday feel like the latter. The soothing noise of the pitter-patter outside on the house and the porch was a constant companion, a soothing rhythm that slowed the day down, just a little. Just enough to experience the day itself with no other trappings, just nature's music.

The last eight months, with their abundance of time spent at home, have taught us to reflect more on life, and focus on what matters most. Weather patterns themselves don't always make that list, but nature's serenity often inspires us to take a moment to think. Broadening our thought beyond our four walls is essential, and I remember many times when hiking, for example, did that for me. Monday's rainfall did, too.

That night, I walked to my front door after being outside for a few moments. Then I turned and saw fog gathering outside, illuminated by nearby lights. The blending of that fog and the ongoing rain — that was a magical late-fall moment. We don't have too many of those left in 2020, but I value those kinds of moments every time. We're better when we slow down and notice what's around us a little more. That kind of reflection is always worth it. Amid a very gray day, it reminded me that you can find a glimmer of light even in the darkest times. What we dwell on, is up to us.

— Gareth Henderson

Unexpected generosity

A few holiday decorations in downtown Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Many times, it's tough to find the good amid all the challenges happening in the world today. That's why it's a joy to point out a bright spot when one comes across the radar.

A story in The Washington Post recently was a reminder of how a situation can turn into a blessing unexpectedly. It was about a couple who had to cancel some big wedding plans due to COVID-19, got married at Chicago’s city hall, and ended up with a non-refundable catering deposit. They decided to donate the $5,000 to provide 200 Thanksgiving meals for people with severe mental illness. A spokesperson for the nonprofit that received the dinners said the meals helped fill a void at a time when the group's regular communal dinners were canceled because of the pandemic. This gift provided a bright light in a dark time when hopes seems scarce. Because of this generosity, people were able to hope a little more this Thanksgiving.

This was another shining example of how the unexpected isn't always a bad thing, especially this year. Many times, nonprofits have seen support come in from sources you couldn’t have predicted. This is another one to add to that list. Such examples of generosity, kindness and provision have kept us inspired in 2020, and that pattern is likely to keep on going in 2021. It's a safe bet we'll see many more examples of people spreading good in our communities when it's needed most.

— Gareth Henderson

Witnessing the splendor of life

Saturday’s sunset, as seen from Wyman Lane in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

We can miss a lot by not looking for the goodness, beauty and splendor right around us. Many times, I've passed the late afternoon hours inside, working away at my computer, while an awesome photographic moment passes me by outdoors.

But some of the best photos are unplanned. Today, I was "woken up" to such a moment by receiving a quick text letting me know how beautiful the sunset was. I wrapped up my errand and went up the road a few hundred feet, to witness brilliant orange-yellow layers in the sky, heading quickly behind the mountains. With a similar urgency, I drove on and pursued that stunning scene until I got just the right spot.

This was a wonderful reminder of the importance of slowing down for moments of light, whether that means a bit of reflection, some meaningful learning, an opportunity for a new path in life, or something else. The last few months, on some level, have shown us the importance of honoring those moments. For me, the key is not letting the work-grind momentum creep in and shut my eyes to more important things. Sometimes, moments are there to teach us, and we're stronger when we slow down, let silence happen and let ourselves be taught. That's when we let the light in.

— Gareth Henderson

A season of transformation

Fog adorns the trees at Faulkner Park in Woodstock, Vermont, on Thanksgiving morning. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As the holiday wraps up and the weekend comes into view, nature enhances the majestic calm of late autumn, as the land gracefully yields to changes and embraces a new season.

Fog settled in early Thanksgiving morning throughout southern Vermont as light rains visited the area. At Faulkner Park in Woodstock, a beautiful calm embraced the land along with the fog, which adorned the treetops as some drizzle fell to the ground. Fallen leaves surrounding the trees left another sign we're heading into the colder months quickly, but still have a little time to observe some snowless land as autumn heads toward its final weeks.

For me, the calm, reflective silence of the fall expresses its greatest beauty. Today, this season invites us to ponder the past year and what it's meant to us, to cherish lessons learned and open up to new ones. Autumn is as transitional as it is transformative — it moves us gradually into winter, when the earth spends months of cold to prepare for the newness of spring. Similarly, times of reflection can point us toward progress, make us aware of opportunities and prepare us for greater things ahead. That path toward progress can appear when we least expect it. That's when life surprises us, but the opportunities to seize such moments are some of the greatest gifts we have.

— Gareth Henderson

The value of gratitude

A countryside scene off Cloudland Road in Pomfret, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As the wintry air settles in and we celebrate Thanksgiving, we're moved to ponder the value of gratitude. In a year like this one, it's a quality that renews our push toward progress like nothing else can.

In a way, 2020, through its myriad challenges, has seeded the garden of gratitude very well. In the darkest of times, the light in our life shines brighter, illuminates other things to be grateful for, and presents us with more hope for the future. Central to that hope are the blessings closest to us, and the support of friends and family — even from afar — has been so meaningful this year. At the community level, we've seen people step up for their neighbors, whether it's showing up to volunteer in person, or donating to a local relief effort. As the months have gone on, we've perhaps even gained relationships or connections we never had before, and had the chance to strengthen long-standing ones.

As we remember these points of gratitude, they strengthen us with their light, even now. The power of a grateful heart is real. There is nothing small about the inspiration it propels, or the hope it cultivates. It moves us to share thoughts of gratitude with others, which amplifies the goodness in our lives, uplifts people, and opens pathways to progress we may not have seen before. That's surely a pattern we can all embrace and nurture together, and the best gift we can impart on Thanksgiving 2020.

— Gareth Henderson

Signs of that holiday spirit

A worker from Timber Tender puts up the traditional holiday lights in downtown Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As spring 2020 sprouted and graced us with its glory, we were relieved to see and feel the results of it. Now, as we head into November's big holiday week, we again see proof of wonderful things unchanged.

We see people continuing with many of the same efforts to help out their neighbors during the holidays. Though the logistics have changed, the spirit is still very much there, and in some cases, it’s inspiring more people to lend a hand.

We also see some holiday shopping underway, though in many cases, it will be for smaller gatherings this year. I have a feeling that the joy of the holidays will find expression in some unexpected ways this year. Over the summer, people found many ways to let their light shine and share with others, from their musical talents in-person (though distanced), to online gatherings.

Another great example of inspiring expression: It's decoration season. In Woodstock, Vermont, the local company Timber Tender has been putting up the holiday lights in our beautiful village in recent days. It's a lovely sight, to see the Village Green and downtown sidewalks aglow for the holidays. Businesses are also busy readying their holiday window displays. We just need a bit more snow to complete the picture, which no doubt is on its way.

On Monday, several people — including me — stopped along the sidewalk to watch the Timber Tender crew at a distance, as the bucket loader lifted one of the workers above and around the treetops, with a bunch of lights in hand. It was another reminder that not everything in life has come to a halt; certain traditions will live on, because they simply must. Such traditions represent more than just the light and cheerful appearances they emanate. These holiday expressions remind us we still have the ability to reflect joy and share it with others, however difficult things seem to get. This year, that joy and good feeling have a uniquely special place in our experience, because I believe it will surprise us in beautiful ways. Let's remain open to that inspiration, especially the kind that comes around when we least expect it. Many times, that can be the best kind.

— Gareth Henderson

Three cheers for Charlie Brown’s return

A view of the Ottauquechee River in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

A shout of jubilation was heard around the world when Apple released news of a deal with PBS and PBS Kids that would bring the Peanuts holiday specials back to national television this year.

After four days of anticipation, families across the country got the thrill of seeing "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" on Sunday night on PBS. It's the same plan for "A Charlie Brown Christmas", which airs Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS.

Announced last week, the Apple-PBS deal came after a thunderous outcry after Apple acquired the rights to Peanuts content, and therefore, the beloved Charlie Brown specials would only be available on Apple TV+ from here on out. That didn't sit well with Peanuts fans, hundreds of thousands of whom signed online petitions to get the specials back on television, in a year when families could really use some good cheer.

That kind of joy from nationwide holiday favorites is more important than ever, in the middle of a pandemic in which a number of states have gathering limits imposed for the holidays. Furthermore, many traditions throughout the year have been changed or cancelled entirely, due to COVID-19. For all those reasons, it's no surprise people really wanted the multi-generational favorites from the Peanuts gang to remain before a national TV audience, where they have always been accessible to millions of fans.

Now, we can say the Charlie Brown tradition was brought back for November and December in 2020, and was made widely available for all people to see. It's probably the closest thing to a great, big national hug we're going to get this year. And we'll take it.

— Gareth Henderson

To be fair, we should note, as Apple previously announced: "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" is free to watch on Apple TV+ from Nov. 25-27; the Christmas special is free on Apple TV+ from Dec. 11-13.

Thinking about the holidays

A stream runs through the woods off Cloudland Road in Pomfret, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Over the course of 2020, we’ve seen how various cherished traditions have been impacted by the pandemic. That anticipation has never been more keenly felt than over the past couple of weeks, when we've pondered that question regarding the holidays.

We already know that, in many places, including Vermont, it will mean single-household gatherings only for Thanksgiving, one of our most cherished traditions. This became clear after many states have imposed new restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19. Undeniably, this is a difficult situation, and a painful one for many individuals who, in some cases, had been hoping to see friends and family they hadn't seen perhaps all year. We know we all need those connections, and we long for those precious in-person interactions and fun, enjoyable moments that make up holiday memories. We also know the holidays will look different this year, and will likely include Zoom as a party avenue more than ever before.

The result? We'll undoubtedly be missing many things we hold dear, especially the loved ones we're so used to seeing at this special time of year. But right now, as experts have been saying, it's also a time in which we have to prioritize health and follow guidelines meant to keep everyone safe, including masking, social distancing, and the oft-repeated guidance to avoid non-essential travel and to limit gatherings to your household.

It's tough for many to have to keep up these precautions, for sure. It feels incredible to say it's been eight months since the pandemic arrived in Vermont. That said, this year these measures are in place for public health, and ought to be followed by each of us. Furthermore, they're a part of expressing love and respect to others, and helping to support our neighbors’ sense of safety and peace of mind as well. If we keep those values foremost in our minds, we can help our society make progress at this difficult time, and lay the groundwork for, hopefully, having a return to the gatherings and traditions we love later in 2021. That's a goal worth aiming for, together.

— Gareth Henderson

Choosing unity, not sides

A snow-covered scene off Barber Hill Road in Pomfret, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The best way to resolve a problem is to get at its roots. The same concept applies to the divisive nature of the U.S. political climate, and the idea can help us cultivate a stronger focus on unity as a people.

At the heart of this divisiveness, is the pressure people often feel to choose sides politically and stick with that choice. In recent years, that mode of thinking has become ingrained in our national consciousness, accompanied by many assumptions about those who are on "the other side." Too often, we have a fixed image in mind of who they are — typically, a negative one.

The danger in that thinking is that it breeds divisiveness, by focusing on the pitfalls of a different group and building on self-perpetuating negativity. In essence, it's a dead end, not a way to unify people for the greater good. The best way forward is to choose the side of unity, and tailor our thinking to that. The more we take that approach, the less important political labels will be when we consider how to press on toward a more unified country.

In the coming months, the main indicator of progress will be what motivates us, and it would be best if partisanship wasn't in the driver's seat. Instead, we can choose to rise above those generalizations and assumptions of others, and reach out the hand of partnership to build productive relationships. Those connections will serve the goal of unity-building much better than thinking that encourages us to take sides. By planting the seeds of peace, love and compassion, we can work together and encourage others to do the same. Approaching our problems together in this way, better days are well within our grasp.

— Gareth Henderson

Renewal: a force for progress

A mountain view from Cloudland Road in Pomfret, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

After months of being a leader in its COVID-19 response, Vermont finds itself at a crossroads during a spike in cases, with the state urging adherence to public health guidance. But the solution goes deeper than science and data, although those are important. It’s about renewal of a quality Vermont has always had in spades: commitment to community. 

The good news is, the state still has that commitment, rooted in the wonderful, heartfelt love of this special place we share with our neighbors. We just need that to translate into all people following public health guidance, not just for ourselves, but for the good of everyone. Part of that is a humble realization that we are not out of the woods yet in this pandemic, and we all have to play a role guiding this state to better days. 

As many have mentioned in state press conferences, we’ve done this before. We’ve shown that commitment to each other many, many times, and Vermont is equal to defeating this virus and anything that would stand in the way of progress. 

Progress against COVID-19 is something Vermont is familiar with. That work got Vermont impressive accolades from an impressive source on Sept. 15. That’s when Dr. Anthony Fauci, of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, praised Vermont’s COVID-19 response in a press briefing with Gov. Phil Scott. That day, Vermont had a test positivity rate of 0.2%.

"It should be the model of how you get to such a low test positivity that you can actually start opening up the economy in a safe and prudent way," Fauci said of Vermont’s approach. That approach included a prevalent adherence to public health guidance, buffered by a statewide mask mandate and a robust contact-tracing program that had gotten several outbreaks under control. 

That day seems like light years ago. After the recent surge in cases, Vermont is getting used to life with a ban on multi-family gatherings — less than a week from Thanksgiving. State officials have said social gatherings were the main factor driving this new case growth. Among other restrictions, bars are now closed to in-person service, and all recreational sports league activity is suspended. 

Indeed, much has changed over the last six weeks, and concern is growing in the state. However, this fact is hopeful: Vermont and Hawaii are tied for the lowest test positivity rate in the country, at 2%, according to Becker’s Hospital Review. Also, the state has ramped up testing, adding five major sites this week, and officials are adding more contact-tracing staff as well. 

All that said, we the people remain the first line of defense against the pandemic in Vermont. The key to progress is remembering what makes us great as a state: our strong commitment to each other’s well being. Actions like following public health guidance flow naturally from that, because, along with being necessary, those actions also show consideration and love for our neighbors and community. Now is the time to strengthen those values, which have served us so well for so long. Today, let’s renew our commitment to community at this crucial juncture, and be loving to others in the process. With those qualities as our guiding light, we can make steady progress and overcome this challenge as one people, showing the world that working together is the only way forward. 

— Gareth Henderson  

Taking a step for progress

A stone wall is shown along Benedict Road in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

So many of us have been looking for solutions to big issues, and these days, the answers we need can seem hard to come by. What we're facing as a country has left us feeling stunned before. By now, we've all been there.

As we all seek that next step, it's easy to look for the quickest possible way to our destination. It can seem like the most obvious way through the fog. But no solution worth having appears that easily, especially in unusual times. As we keep our goal before our hearts and minds, the key is the approach to the journey and what guides it.

The highest goal today is unity, and in much of the nation, post-election fervor seems to be guiding how many people view one another. That of course includes political labels, but we know there's more to a person than their political affiliation. The key is getting people in a room together, beginning a dialogue and establishing trust.

Trust is something New York Times columnist David Brooks mentioned in a recent conversation with Katie Couric on The Pulse. Brooks said, "Two generations ago, if you asked people, 'Are your neighbors trustworthy?', 60% say yes. Now it's only 33%." He goes on to say, "And somehow restoring trust in each other is the elemental task."

This is a crucial point, because the key to building unity in the U.S. today is not about resolving political differences. It's about trusting each other enough to have an honest conversation about them, a conversation grounded on listening, decency and compassion. The biggest thing keeping those conversations from happening is fear, and that's something we have to overcome as a people, if progress is to be made.

The good news is, we can always make the decision to have those difficult conversations and gain a stronger understanding of one another. That would be a strong basis for working together on key issues, and it would all start at the community level. In this election year, much attention is rightly focused on the national scene, however that shouldn't make us ignore the difference we can make by encouraging such dialogue locally. It's an important step to take, and we can all urge that progress forward for our community, and our nation.

— Gareth Henderson

The small things, they still count

A view of the Ottauquechee River from the Elm Street bridge in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

In the early phases of Vermont's pandemic response, the impact of neighbors helping neighbors received a great deal of attention, and that continued in the following months. Today, even the smallest effort to help someone else is a big deal — perhaps more than ever.

The strong sense of community in Vermont forms the backbone of the state's culture, and that strength was a comfort for many people after the pandemic arrived and quickly impacted everyone’s life. That community fortitude sent — and still does send — a reassuring message that we're all pulling in the same direction during a time of need.

The need for that community strength only grew. When spring arrived, we saw many rise up in protest after the killing of George Floyd, and the calls for justice multiplied as younger generations became a prominent voice. The closer the election neared, the deeper the nation's partisan divide seemed to plunge. Economic issues intensified amid coronavirus restrictions. Now, the U.S. grapples with a fraught presidential transition following a Biden-Harris victory. It's the latest cause of tension in a long 2020, a year that (incredibly) concludes in less than two months.

Looking at all those challenges at once, they demand solutions, and they also form a huge mountain to climb. Reasons for doubt may seem obvious. However, that light which appears faint amid the darkness is our most critical resource in making a difference for the better. Acts of kindness can feel "small", but they also inspire others to do likewise, because they make us remember the good inside all of us. We can't help but give that gift once it's been given to us. It's natural, and it can help dissolve division.

That network of good is needed here, and it's needed all over the world. The best part of it, is that anyone can add to this continual cycle of love. Kindness in any form makes a difference and cultivates the hope we need. So, if there's an opportunity to help someone and we come to their aid, we'll not only help that individual, we help all of us by keeping hope alive. That single act proves good is still present, and it naturally propels us toward progress. Each day, we can decide to make that progress continue.

— Gareth Henderson

Our veterans and their unwavering service

Members of the Ora E. Paul American Legion Post No. 24 march through Woodstock, Vermont, on Wednesday, on their way to take part in a Veterans Day Service in front of the courthouse. (Susan Ford Photo)

Today, many Americans are concerned about the future of the country, and at this important moment, Wednesday brought a time to remember our veterans — and a time of reflection.

In 2020, Veterans Day gave us a chance to step back and honor these heroes and the democracy they defended. Most importantly, we reflected on the innumerable sacrifices they made to protect our freedom. We have the deepest gratitude for all they've done. Their service is a tremendous source of inspiration and honor that underpins our national identity, and they exemplify dedication to a country and its people.

They fought "to secure, protect and advance the ideals on which our nation was founded," Vermont Gov. Phil Scott said in a statement on Wednesday. The work of our veterans reminds us that it takes action to defend those ideals.

“Today, it’s important for all of us to remember that those principles — life, liberty, equality, democracy and justice — have never been guaranteed, " Scott said. "Instead they’ve been hard won by those we’re honoring today, through the selfless acts of heroism and the day-to-day efforts of America’s veterans."

Those lessons from our veterans are particularly instructive today, as our union struggles under the weight of political strife.

“As we honor them today, let’s remember what patriotism truly looks like; let’s use their example to unite our nation in this time of deep division; and let’s do all we can to live up to their sacrifice, their service and their unwavering commitment to freedom," Scott said. 

The key part of that call for unity is the word "unwavering". No concept could better describe the dedication of our veterans. Today, it's more important than ever that we all embrace opportunities to build unity, with that same unwavering, courageous commitment. 

We each have a role to play in the process of overcoming the political divisions pushing at the core of our democracy. In local communities, we can take steps to start those conversations and keep them going in a compassionate, productive way which helps society. Let's strive to understand each other better and build bridges to meaningful solutions. Some days it may seem impossible, but our veterans have certainly accomplished goals that, at one time, appeared impossible. Today, our country needs us. 

— Gareth Henderson