Leisure World News

Leisure World News • Community • July 2022 A3 Administrative Announcements Wednesday Coffee July 6th 8 a.m. July 13th 8 a.m. July 20th 8 a.m. July 27th 8 a.m. Independence Day! Independence Day is the most important day in US history. Nearly all US citizens, regardless of race, where you are from, rich, poor, or political party, can all take a day to appreciate how great it is to live in the United States. America’s Independence Day is widely known. It’s the day we officially declared our independence from Great Britain and turned the nascent armed resistance in the Colonies into a fight for self-governance by a new nation made up of the “United States.” In those days, thosewhomade it possible for our independence and freedom were noted as “traitors”. Because of these men and women, on July 4, 1776, the founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence and announced their independence from Great Britain. Independence Day is here! This year it will be celebrated on Monday, July 4, 2022. This is a wonderful time to get together withneighbors tocelebrateAmerica’s independence! Americans celebrate by having barbecues or picnics with their family and friends at home or at a local park. In the American tradition, backyard grills are smoking with hot dogs, hamburgers, and other delicious goodies!We participate inparades, andbaseball games, and go to events and concerts where patriotic songs are played. Of course, fireworks exploding in the sky are the finale of a spectacular holiday. From 1776 till today, the people of the US have experienced a huge change in their style of living, technology, and much more. With everything that is going on in today’s world, it is an emotionally turbulent time. However, America’s patriotism shouldn’t be lessened but should be further fueled, even with the current hardships we face. Together, we can celebrate the past victories and the future successes of America. As I go about my work within our community, I often see the best of our residents and I am reminded that the foundations that built this country are still just as important today. It has long been said that America is about rugged individualism. Yes, being self-sufficient is an admirable trait, but it only takes one so far. People need people in order to really live. With all that we have encountered in the past two years, nowhere is that truer than in communities like ours. Most homeowners like to be engaged and welcomed into the neighborhood. Neighbors need to meet each other and establish camaraderie to create a thriving community. Back when our descendants landed on our shores, they didn’t head off in separate directions or singlehandedly set up a community. No, they banded together and worked together, struggled together, helped each other, cried together, and celebrated together. Had they not, survival would have been hard, and a prosperous life would have been nearly impossible. All through our nation’s history, our Presidents and leaders have spoken of national unity and warned us that the only permanent danger to the hope that is America, comes from within. The world is becoming more complicated every day. Across America, HOAs, communities, and cities of all sizes are looking to reinvent themselves after the isolation of COVID, several chaotic events, and an impending recession that has turned our world upside down. I am glad that there are some simple things in the world that we depend on. Principle, respect, and happiness. It is hard for me to believe that in most circumstances we cannot display happiness and respect for another person. We have a proud tradition in the US of acknowledging that together we are always pursuing the Declaration’s goal of building a country where “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Since July 4, 1776, our country has been at its best when we openly discuss our diverse views, while working together to improve our shared future. To be true to this aspiration, together as a community, we must celebrate our accomplishments and success as one of the longest-standing, successful and recognized HOA communities. At the same time, we must work simultaneously to learn from our past setbacks and failures that will help us improve as a community. As we have many items in Leisure World that we are working on to improve, develop and enhance, to bring our community to new heights. We are not doing it as individuals; rather, we’re doing it in groups and with teamwork. For instance, the Board and the LW staff work as a team on various projects and plans. In many projects, residents are engaged and working together with the LWstaff to breathe new life into our community. These items could be attempted single-handedly, but we embrace the spirit of cooperation, collaboration, and partnership. As a community, individualism can be dangerous in the ideals of everyday activities. That is why as wemove forward, creating a strong sector of partnership is important. There is a yearning by many to tap into a legacy and shape the community, investing efforts into making Leisure World the most desirable place to live in Arizona. Just like in the early colonies, not all ideas concur, not all concepts work out and there are suggestions that will be a venture. In times when we fall short, let’s not look away from our flaws and faults, but admit them, and tackle them in a new way. President Woodrow Wilson once stated during one of his speeches, “The most patriotic man, ladies, and gentlemen, is sometimes the man who goes in the direction that he thinks right even when he sees half the world against him… Those gentlemen did not attach their names to the Declaration of Independence on this table expecting a holiday on the next day, and that 4th of July was not itself a holiday.” In our world right now, there are limited supplies and unprecedented inflation. However, that doesn’t have to stop us fromprogressing collaboratively as a community. As President Theodore Roosevelt said, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” If you want to see our country become the best version of itself, think about how to partner with your neighbor, various clubs, and organizations you can invest in. A community’s strength lies in the cohesion of its people. As I look at our association, one thing is for certain – we are still the land and a community of opportunity. There are still many areas we can grow and develop as a communal group leading to long-term prosperity. The spirit of community is the spirit that built America. And it’s what will enhance us as we work together to create a greater future. So, here’s what I believe: Real independence is about working hard, playing hard, building strong relationships, and being content in the place we’ve put down our roots. It is about choosing to be happy. It’s about choosing the kind of life we want to live. It is about supporting each other for the betterment of all. Share your ideas. For the most part, this can exist only in the context of community. This Independence Day, I hope you’ll take a moment to be grateful for our United States of America, for our freedom and for our amazing Leisure World community. -Jason Doll, LWCA Community Manager LW Offices Closed Leisure World Offices will be closed on Monday, July 4 in honor of the holiday.