Blog
Meeting This Moment: Part One
(This is the first of three articles in a series.) To function well for its citizens, our society needs three major assets, according to Jonathan Haidt and other experts: About 75% of Americans are worried about the state of our democracy. Robert Putnam says our social capital is at a one-hundred-year low. At the same…
Read MoreA Look Ahead
I remember how I felt at this time last year—filled with hope and anticipation for our Let’s Go Together process in Skagit County. We had a plan, a new coordinator, and some courageous leaders and organizations willing to take a chance with us. At that point, about 10 people had signed up to participate. In…
Read MoreBuilding Trust with All People
Let’s Go Together “Meet Up”: a way to continue to create partnerships between large gatherings
Read MoreThe Potluck Project Goes National
This past year, Paths to Understanding has spent a significant amount of time developing our Potluck Project. This program, PTU’s first nation-wide endeavor, reflects our growing national reach as an organization. We are committed to being locally rooted here in Western Washington and simultaneously being nationally engaged in collaboration and conversation with partners around the…
Read MoreRipple Effects
Tom Friedman argues that humanity is currently facing two immense challenges: These forces are reshaping our world at an overwhelming pace, creating deep anxiety for many. However, I believe he overlooks a third critical challenge: the loneliness of individuals and the isolation of groups. Individual loneliness has become both a public health and mental health…
Read MoreWho Are We?
Who are we? Like many of you, I’m reflecting on the values that shape our actions and beliefs in the United States. There’s a lot of reflection happening right now about what our values are—and this conversation is deeply needed. It’s also crucial to remember how complex we all are, each of us carrying layers…
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