It’s not clear where this transition is taking us, but you don’t have to

look

far to see ordinary people doing extraordinary things.‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

‌ ‌

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌Peace and goodwill to you, {{ person.firstname

| default: 'friend' }}.







There are decades when nothing happens, and there are weeks when decades

happen.

A week ago, the team here at Strong Towns was gathering in Florida for a

retreat. Today, we are like many of you: hunkered down at home pondering

what

comes next.







I’ve heard from a lot of you in the past few days – my email inbox is

overflowing – and I want to thank you for that kindness. The reaction to

reach

out to others in times like these is a very human one, a response I don’t

think

social distancing can destroy. Let’s all lean into our humanity.







And while we won’t be physically seeing each other for a while (we’ve

indefinitely suspended all events, as we should in this situation), we’re

going

to be in touch. There is so much to do!







I think we are about to experience the best human beings have to offer each

other. In the couple of days I’ve been back home, I’ve witnessed an

outpouring of

generosity in my community. We’re getting reports of the same from Strong

Towns

members everywhere.







If you’re looking for a good book during this time of isolation, Rebecca

Solnit’s A Paradise Built in Hell is one I’ve long recommended. It’s a

study of how scores of local leaders rise to fill in the gaps when disaster

strikes and the stability we thought was there vanishes. Here’s a

Solnit quote:







“What you imagine as overwhelming or terrifying while at leisure becomes

something you can cope with when you must-there is no time for fear.”







Expect us to aggressively expand the Strong Towns conversation during this

time

of transition. We’ve long said that the fragile nature of our development

pattern would be

exposed, that Strong Towns advocates would someday find themselves prompted

to

lead. It’s time.







The ramifications of the coming weeks will be felt for decades. Changes in

financial markets, housing, pensions, governance, and so many other factors

of

life should be anticipated. We’re going to help you stay ahead of events,

learn

what you can do, and connect you to others that can help and inspire.







Stay home to the extent that you can. Check in on your neighbors. Keep

yourself

strong and healthy. Just like the oxygen mask on an airplane, you must be

able

to take care of yourself before you’ll be able to assist others.







Give prayers of gratitude because, despite the hardship, there is so much

to be

thankful for.







We’ll chat again soon.







Chuck Marohn



Founder and President of Strong Towns



Strong Towns



www.strongtowns.org





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