Community is our Super Power

This past month I had the privilege to serve in Hendersonville NC supporting Hurricane Helene Victims.

Watching the news during the storm many wanted to bash the federal government for lack of responsiveness. Why can't the National Guard operate faster? Why isn't there more support?

Yet at the same time, I saw American Citizens, and non profit volunteers rapidly mobilize and care for one another.

This is the America I LOVE!!!!

In a digitally integrated world, we forget sometimes to make face to face relationships with our neighbors. This is the true foundation of survival though.

When the storms rolled in, power went out, cell towers went down, no internet, but we had drive, mobility and a G.S.D (Get, $h!t, Done) attitude.

Why this is so important.

As you take an assessment of your investments and things you have added into your life for security, have you invested in the people around you. Have you placed your trust in a system that you already know is slow, and impersonal? Or have you invested in the personal.

Across NC, SC, Georgia, FL, scores of people immediately dropped what they were doing to help their neighbors. No one cared what your political association was, no one cared what your religious preference was. They cared about each other as fellow Americans.

To my veterans out there going through transition, I think this point drives home even more.

While we are in uniform, we have community because the "family" of the military provides it for us. We are used to interacting face to face with others. We have systems around us to get help. But even in this environment, it is so critical to invest in deeper, more intimate relationships with those around us. Let them know your needs, wants, goals, desires.

As you look to leave the family, you must continue to invest in these relationships. Find those you can trust and rely on. Make deeper friendships that go beyond the surface. Those who you know you can call when life goes upside down and it all hits the fan.

Don't rely on the VA (though use them as a tool and an asset)

Don't rely on head hunters (though use them too)

Don't rely on your past, (past performance is no guarantee of future success)

Rely on those closest to you.

Rely on yourself and trust your capabilities.

Rely on the community you build, to carry you.

This is our super power.

"If you want to go fast... go alone. If you want to go far... go together"