Final Post...tying it all together

As I think about all these ideas as a whole I cant help but thinking there are so many great examples of the principles of community engagement and there are some really cool communities out there, but the thing I seem to have completely left out is that stuff like this just doesn't seem to happen. A community doesn't just get together and decide to change. What is normally missing is a leader. There has to be that one outspoken person who people listen to, agree with and join that person on getting other people involved.

We as communities need leaders that help us strive for more livable communities. Maybe we dont need more leaders, maybe more people just need to step up.

I, being a relatively quiet person, find the idea of getting involved in the community a pretty intimidating thing. But I want change, and change doesn't happen unless people speak up. So I need to find myself being more apart of community events. And the best thing about it, there really isn't anything to loose. The community gains from my involvement, and I gain social capital which apparently means I may even live longer :)

I think people and society needs to undergo a complete shift in their thinking to our wants and needs, if we want to be sustainable. Once again we will all benefit from this. Leaving the car at home once and a while will not only benefit the air but also our health.

I came from Toronto where I was driving my gas guzzling car 60km a day, I have given up the car and I have been able to get around just find with my bicycle. (mind you this would not be possible in the community I lived in when I was in Ontario) here in Victoria I live within a 15 minute bike ride of everything I can think of! Groceries, drug store, post office, restaurants, coffee shops, movie theatre, many parks, and so much more.

This is obviously something I feel passionately about, but I guess everyone needs to stand up for what they feel strongly about!

Thanks for listening!