Wintertime blues are easily subdued when we get out of the house and away from the ‘luxury’ of sitting on the chesterfield and ordering ‘on-line’. The local stores are filled with amazing products. The local shops offer employment for local residents. The local stores are the ‘lifeline’ that enables our children to test the waters of employment verses entrepreneurship.
When we ‘shop locally’ some sort of magic happens. Our very presence is a present to the employees. Our open minds and hearts are a true gift to the shop owners.
The shop owners are a ‘gift’ to the community. They are the glue that supports the tax base way more that we residents do. Their portion of the taxes is greater than the homeowners' share – particularly those residents who own their own homes and are of the ‘older model’ of citizen. Thank goodness may elders also have time and the energy to volunteer.
Together we are a community. The Common Unity (community) of people in this valley formulates the future. We need each other, this is true….and mostly we support each other because we know that when ‘the shit hits the fan’ as it often does, we know that we have each other's backs. We know because we know each other face to face…. heart to heart.
An Elder in the Indigenous community related this story about Love…. When the land, water, plants, and animals had been created, the whole of creation gathered around the Creator as he had a special unique creation in mind however, He had a wonderful ‘gift’ – a unique ‘special gift’ for this last and most amazing creature. As He sat and answered questions from His masterpieces, he indicated that this gift was so precious that He was afraid it would be discovered and destroyed by the Evil beings that were allowed to also reside on Earth (another story for another time) – The Salmon offered to ‘hide it deep in the ocean’ NO, this final creation will be ‘made in our image’ and be so smart – they will look for this special gift in the depth of the ocean and try to destroy it. The Bear spoke up: ‘Let me take it to the highest mountains and put it there’ NO, said the Creator – they will blow the tops off mountains, looking for treasure – that is not the solution. What then? The Eagle said "I can fly higher than any creature – I will take it into space – perhaps even beyond the moon, it will surely be safe there.’ NO said the Creator – our latest creation is going to have the intelligence equal to ours, they will eventually fly into space. ‘What then?’ Asked those present. 'I will take this small gift and I will put a small bit into every ‘human’ heart,' said the Creator as he explained that this gift – the gift of Love – would then be available to each of these new creatures. These Humans, as they were called, have always carried a spark of Love within each and every one born on Earth from that day forward. All we Humans need to do is ‘open our hearts’ enough to recognize, engage with and then give away this Love, and finally our greatest desire – the desire to be ‘like God’ will manifest from within each and every person who finds that Love deep within their very beings.
The lesson I carry with me is that we are all community, and we are all a valuable part of this economy – some sell, some buy and some ‘make the rules’ …. we are all community! We all have the capacity to share.
Your local Chamber of Commerce is made up of businesses, organizations and individuals just like you and me. All are welcome. Come check us out at clearwaterbcchamber.com
Sincerely
Cheryl Thomas
Vice-chair
