Embracing progress, like the river

The Ottauquechee River in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Progress for the greater good is a concept we all embrace. It's the very engine of life. There’s always a push to go up higher, to achieve more, and persist through challenges to seek opportunity.

For some time now, the gradual lifting of statewide restrictions has given us hope as we make further progress toward the eventual end of the pandemic. The idea of striving to help one another has continued, as activities slowly but surely return to some semblance of day-to-day normalcy.

We're each glad to note how things are improving during these weeks, and it's been a steady source of inspiration. Saturday night was the first night I have been out to see live music in a restaurant in almost 16 months. The band, George’s Back Pocket, performed at Du Jour VT in Ludlow, and played its inspiring song “The River”, which reminded me of the serene, powerful nature of this grand waterway. 

A river is winding, turning, in constant movement, always refreshing itself. Each drop of water, sometimes propelled by harsh currents, moves forward to a new destination. Similarly, we can never go back to a particular moment, nor remain “stuck” in the trappings of tomorrow, but we must be grounded in the present, and humbly move ahead with the progress experienced. Such moments show us that obstacles aren’t forever. Indeed, the most reassuring knowledge is that we’re constantly moving forward, with the innate ability to embrace the ideas we need. This broader view sustains our wholeness and completeness, as we look toward this bright tomorrow.

That bright tomorrow contains much newness, because we've learned a lot over the past 12 months. The pandemic has shown me how technology can connect us, how much we can lift each other up when times are tough, and how work life can be more efficient — just to name a few things. As the situation continues to improve, we can strive to move forward with these lessons learned and use them to propel progress.

That process won't always be easy. Sometimes, new knowledge seems to come into conflict with older methods, and the road ahead becomes unclear. But whatever the issue at hand, we always have the ability to work together toward the opportunities that make the most sense for all involved. That riverbed may become disturbed by progress itself, but the water has the innate ability to seek and find clarity, a purer sense of purpose and resolve. With that focus in mind, we can strive to rise together into a better future for all. From seeming obstacles, opportunities can come that strengthen every community and cultivate strong collaborations. Together, we can continue to embrace progress, persist, and succeed.

— Gareth Henderson