Partners in Progress

So as I enjoy the fond memories of our most recent Independence Day celebrations and festivities, I have cause to reflect on just how much we so often take for granted. We live in a country where we are free to own our own business, vacation with our family, choose our path for education, all with the freedom to worship our Almighty God! As the headlines have read for quite some time now, it is more and more evident that others who live in this world are not afforded such freedoms.

In this fast paced society of ours, it seems that we too easily overlook the privileges and the blessings in our lives while we get caught up in the challenges that we face and the circumstances that arise in our day to day life. Why do we allow this to happen? I guess it's just human nature, but something that is worth revisiting on a regular basis to help keep our eyes focused on life’s treasures.

The grass is rarely ever greener on the other side of the fence. But if it is, it is probably due to the hard work that has been invested to gain the results that everyone else envies. Success takes hard work. And generally that hard work is by a village of those willing to make the sacrifice.

We are all faced with the temptation to gripe but at the same time we are also faced with the opportunity to make a difference every day regardless of where we live or what circumstances we encounter.

Let us not take lightly the sacrifices made by those who have gone before us and those who currently serve our great Country today, to protect the very freedoms that we enjoy. Let us be careful to see the opportunities and blessings around us every day. Let us be intentional to take advantage of being part of the solution and to always be looking for ways to make this world better.

Specifically, right here in our very own Toccoa-Stephens County, we should all be looking for new ways to get involved and be part of making things better in our hometown. If you see something that you believe could be improved upon, then get on the team and share your ideas and together make it happen. That’s the way we will continue to move our community to the next level and beyond. Teamwork makes all the difference. We are stronger together than we are individually. Plus, if we are part of the solution then we own the outcome and therefore, will be less likely to sit around and critique. And our friends and family will likely follow our lead. So let’s join forces and keep moving forward. This is our Toccoa and we are partners in progress!