Community

Community, we are all part of various communities. My communities are the local dog park, yoga studio and glider port.

I have not always been a contributing member of my communities. I have shown up at the glider port heading directly to my glider trailer, assembling while only interacting with other private owners, not the people that make the glider port functional for all, including me. I was young, and in a hurry, or so I might have thought. Now that I am older and have less time, I make more time for my communities. I invest my time in my communities and the investment has paid many rewards and dividends. On the way in to the facility I stop by the shop to see what is going on, I say hello to the valuable mechanics that help keep everything working properly and in the air. Now I try to make most of what I do a conscience decision. The more one interacts with a community the more they get out of it. I have taken the time to talk to everyone and know something about their lives. I have volunteered and offered my services in several ways, now I get treated like an employee. In this age of one man-riggers, I have found some pilots in some places figure they are self-sufficient, so they expect others to be as self-reliant, this is a newish development. I had a long hiatus from this beautiful sport, I certainly noticed that change in attitude, not at my local port, but at others I visited. Soon I had a one-man rigger. I urge all in this New Year to think about what you are giving back to the communities you are part of. Make a conscience decision to add to your community, you can not find a safer investment!

Or, one that provides a greater return on your investment.

Merry Christmas to one and all!

Steve Leonard