Friends, neighbors, colleagues and community members: Let’s celebrate successes and achievements to nourish and sustain ourselves in a time of renewed challenges.

Consider the Arch Cape Forest, the Rain Forest reserves, and the Cape Falcon Marine Reserves. All these present evidence of vigorous commitment to environmental well-being in our neighborhood. Thanks to the staunch environmental community and all who support their efforts to heal and protect our natural world.

Consider Seaside City Council’s focused attention on issues related to housing, both affordable housing and homelessness. The fine work of Councilors Steve Wright and Tita Montero shines brightly as they engage with this issue plaguing so many communities. The elected leadership has reached out and made common cause with local activists who are committed to making a difference. Kudos to all of them!

Look at the Jewell School Superintendent, Steve Phillips, who’s providing leadership in developing broadband capacity in the heart of Clatsop County. He’s working with Clatsop County staff and reaching out to his whole school and geographic community to improve broadband capacity. The territory included (if all goes according to plan) will stretch from Fishhawk Lake to the Elsie Vinemaple Fire hall and beyond. Awesome!

I don’t know about you, but I needed some good news. The resurgence of COVID gobsmacked me. I had thought we were coming out the other side of the pandemic, but it turned out to be the eye of the hurricane, not the end of our problems.

After a year and a half, I’d had enough of dealing with health and life-threatening disease. I’d had enough of interrupted supply chains. I’d had enough of the heartbreak of local people and local businesses stretched and smacked around.

Or so I thought. But I was wrong. The nature of the pandemic mocked my naiveté. So I needed to consider how to look at what inspired more positive emotions. I saw that many around me had shown what to do and how to do it: look at evidence of peace and harmony, used in service of significant and positive solutions to community challenges. Three examples came immediately to mind. Many others could have.

These are only three examples of causes for hope. People have seen a community need, found ways to engage others in positive efforts, and they’ve produced positive process and results. More work is needed, but we’re well begun.

We can always find ways to disagree and argue, but some peace and harmony work better to keep us fortified and motivated. And, just for the record? Clatsop County Board of Commissioners and staff are actively engaged in all these positive examples and many more, all aimed at making this a better place to live, work, and enjoy.

Bottom line? Let’s be kind to each other; let’s ease into peace and harmony.