Over 15 years ago, musing over a coffee, myself and a friend discussed the idea of creating a newspaper that focused on good news. This idea became reality for me over four years ago when I took over/purchased the High Country News from Chris. This paper is primarily composed of various community members endeavouring to bring updates and helpful information that will enhance our lives.
Just as we need stories of good news, we need fixed points. For some, these fixed points might be in daily habits and routines. It could be a pub, coffee establishment, or restaurant. Activities that keep us rooted in something and someone.
Natural environments can also provide us these places of fixed points. I asked the Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation Area to provide a picture of their grounds for our front cover. Every fall, our family has used these grounds to go and enjoy the fall colours and has become a bit of a tradition. We love the vibrant colours of the aspen groves and prairie fescue grasses.
There is something about being in an environment that seems to be unchanging, yet undergoes significant changes over time. Nature can withstand disease and natural catastrophe. It can emerge changed, yet in some way unchanged. The river may run a different course, but it is still a river. Natural life is re-born. It has been fascinating to watch the river bed go from a scarred flood plain in 2013 to now seeing willow and aspen saplings aggressively take over the landscape in a seemingly impossible soil-deprived environment.
It is like God places these things in our lives to help us see that regardless of the calamity or challenge we face, new life will emerge. It will be a new yet unchanged picture.
So, over the next few weeks, and more than likely another year of significant uncertainty, I challenge you with two things; one, to find something you can celebrate every day, and two, create positive productive rhythms in your life. With three weeks of restrictive activity now upon us, these practices might just become habit!!!
From my family to yours,
Lowell Harder
