From Family And Community To Congress And The Campus: How Recommitting To Our Roots Can Shape Our Future

It is often said that in order to understand where we are heading, we must first understand where we come from. Our roots, our values, and our experiences shape who we are and the decisions we make. From the family dinner table to community gatherings, these small settings influence our perspectives and values, ultimately impacting our larger role in society – be it in Congress or on campus.

Family has always been a core pillar of society. It is within the walls of our homes that we learn the fundamental values that guide our lives. The love, support, and shared experiences within our families lay the foundation for our personal growth and development. However, as society evolves and people become more interconnected, it is crucial that we do not lose sight of our family values. By maintaining a strong connection with our roots, we can bring the wisdom and lessons learned from our families into the wider world.

Similarly, our community acts as a microcosm of society. It is at the community level that we learn the importance of collaboration, empathy, and civic responsibility. From volunteering at local organizations to participating in community events, our involvement in community activities teaches us the value of contributing to the common good. By cherishing our community and engaging with the people around us, we foster a sense of belonging and strengthen the ties that bind us together.

A Time to Build: From Family and Community to Congress and the Campus, How Recommitting to Our Institutions Can Revive the American Dream

by Yuval Levin(Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

FREE

When we bring these core values and experiences to the larger structures of society, such as in Congress or on campus, the impact can be profound. Our collective experiences shape our understanding of complex issues and influence the decisions we make as leaders. By leaning on our roots and recommitting to the values instilled within us, we bring a unique perspective to matters of national and global significance. In turn, by embracing our familial and community values, we can create environments that encourage inclusivity, collaboration, and progress.

Recommitting to our roots also allows us to confront the challenges and divisions that exist within society. By understanding where we come from, we gain a deeper understanding of others' perspectives and can find common ground even amidst our differences. In a time of increasing political polarization and social unrest, recommitting to our roots can serve as a unifying force, reminding us of the shared values and goals that we hold as a society.

Our roots are not static - they grow and evolve as we do. As we navigate the complexities of the modern world, it is important to continually reconnect with our origins, adapting our values and perspectives to suit the changing times. By doing so, we ensure that the decisions we make on a personal, professional, and societal level remain grounded in our core principles. We become the architects of our own futures, shaping a world that is more inclusive, compassionate, and just.

, from family and community to Congress and the campus, our roots play a pivotal role in shaping our future. By recommitting to our roots and honoring the values instilled within us, we bring a unique perspective to the larger structures of society. Our experiences within the family and community settings serve as guiding principles, fostering inclusivity, collaboration, and progress on a broader scale. In a world filled with challenges and divisions, reconnecting with our origins can serve as a unifying force. Let us never forget where we come from as we strive to create a better world for future generations.

A Time to Build: From Family and Community to Congress and the Campus, How Recommitting to Our Institutions Can Revive the American Dream

by Yuval Levin(Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

FREE

A leading conservative intellectual argues that to renew America we must recommit to our institutions
Americans are living through a social crisis. Our politics is polarized and bitterly divided. Culture wars rage on campus, in the media, social media, and other arenas of our common life. And for too many Americans, alienation can descend into despair, weakening families and communities and even driving an explosion of opioid abuse.
Left and right alike have responded with populist anger at our institutions, and use only metaphors of destruction to describe the path forward: cleaning house, draining swamps. But, as Yuval Levin argues, this is a misguided prescription, rooted in a defective diagnosis. The social crisis we confront is defined not by an oppressive presence but by a debilitating absence of the forces that unite us and militate against alienation.
As Levin argues, now is not a time to tear down, but rather to build and rebuild by committing ourselves to the institutions around us. From the military to churches, from families to schools, these institutions provide the forms and structures we need to be free. By taking concrete steps to help them be more trustworthy, we can renew the ties that bind Americans to one another.