Excerpt from a Letter I Recently Wrote

Of all the things I have to write about, perhaps the easiest are those for which I am thankful. Since they are so numerous, I would like to write about one in particular at this time, namely, that I am involved in a community in which I have regular, meaningful interactions with people who realize that some things are greater than themselves; who consider the needs of others as well as their own; who do not easily take offense; who are willing to freely forgive; who gratefully accept correction; who do not hold grudges; who learn from their mistakes and evidence growth in their character; who are eager to use their money for noble causes instead of hoarding it; who are capable of discussing more than just superficial nonsense; who are interested in what others have to say; who are not dismissive towards those who have different views; who are able to see things from others' perspectives; who seek to attribute the best possible motives in others; who can handle truth claims without getting all bent out of shape; who are able to disagree on important issues without going ballistic; and who understand the importance of keeping their word.

In this community I'm accountable to many people who not only are concerned about my well-being, but who also want the best for me. For example, many times I've needed transportation, especially when going on vacation, and help was only a phone call away. I know that whatever need I may have, if its within their power to help me, many people will gladly come to my aid.

In this community I have opportunities to serve others, and to be co-laborers with them in endeavors which have lasting significance. The community itself has significance, and so do its individual members. Each member plays a valuable role in some way.

In this community we can share each other's joys and sorrows. We're able to encourage each other in beneficial ways, and to bear one another's burdens as we journey through life's peaks and valleys together. We have a mutual support system available to us that can really help make life more livable.

In short, I'm thankful that, through this community, I have people in my life who know what their priorities need to be, and who don't take them lightly. If anyone thinks I'm snobbish by preferring to associate with those who have certain character qualities, I'd like to know why. Would it be any different in principle than wanting to be in the company of law-abiding citizens instead of hardened criminals?

I cannot really comprehend what it would be like to have no connection with the kind of community described above. I imagine life would be tremendously empty, with little if any growth in one's character, and with much more limited human resources from which to draw strength. Riches would be worthless when one died, and all one's hopes would be forgotten then. One's end would be most tragic.