Our community has gone through a lot of changes this past year, and I am sure we will see many more on the horizon. We have watched people gather together in the most difficult of situations. They have not come together out of fear but out of love for each other and a hope for a better tomorrow. We are working through a time of great uncertainty, not with doubt in our hearts but focused on what is possible, and I believe we are stronger for this.

I have attended a lot of meetings this year where we’ve discussed how to build a stronger community. The significance of these meetings is the people who attend all have the same intent — to do good for others. The focus is on what “we” can do together and this makes a difference in how decisions are made and the outcomes of those decisions.

Last spring, United Way chapters across the country shared a message with each other. This message comes from the Arizona Hopi Nation. I would like to share it with you today:

We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.

You have been telling people that this is the Eleventh Hour, now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour. And there are things to be considered. …

Where are you living?

What are you doing?

What are your relationships?

Are you in right relation?

Where is your water?

Know your garden.

It is time to speak your truth.

Create your community.

Be good to each other.

And do not look outside yourself for your leader.

Then he clasped his hands together, smiled, and said, “This could be a good time! There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on to the shore. They will feel they are being torn apart and will suffer greatly. Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above the water.

And I say, see who is in there with you and celebrate. At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally, least of all ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey come to a halt.

The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves!

Banish the word “struggle” from your attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.

We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.

Ann Austin is the executive director of the United Way of Freeborn County.