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 Note from the President
Have you heard “The Secret” yet? That is, the audio version of Rhonda Byrne’s book by that name. In it, she recites research and experiences regarding the Law (Byrne is Australian, so for her it is the “Lawr”) of Attraction”—the principle that says each of us emit energy at a certain frequency and that energy finds and creates similar energies such that the effect is to attract what you want, envision, intend and think about. That is, you create your circumstances, positive or negative.
Whether or not you agree that you create your world, at the Community Foundation we know this much— every good thing that happens in the community begins with the desire of one person, who brings what they have and connects with others who bring what they have and pretty soon-- you have a marina, restaurant, and Terrace Pointe where there once was a Brownfield (thank you Bob Tuttle). Pretty soon lights and life rings appear on the breakwater and channel walls (thank you Eklunds and Gary Berdinski). Pretty soon teens in the Jackson Hill neighborhood have a high quality “drop in” center to “activate” in (thank you Officer Kolkema and Mr. Lane). Pretty soon you move mountains and change attitudes that generations of people assumed would never move or change.
One hundred years ago Charles Hackley’s philanthropy created the physical features of our downtown. One hundred years ago his and others’ efforts allowed Muskegon to gracefully transition from a lumbering economy to an industrial economy. Clearly, Muskegon is in another 100 year transition, and the need for private philanthropists both to build a beautiful city and to lead it through a successful economic transition, has never been more clear.
So, what is that special thing you used to think you would do? Let it out of the recesses of your mind and put it up in the front of your mind. If the Law of Attraction operates as advertised, or if plain old private philanthropy operates as advertised, pretty soon, we will hear from you, and pretty soon, that very good thing you want for Muskegon, the world or others, will happen!
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