Throughout the course of life, the challenges, experiences, and encounters that create the tapestry of who we are occur in numerous ways and in varying circumstances. If we think about the sum total of all the things that have gone right and gone wrong on our individual lives, most people land on the positive side of the equation. The wonder of life is that it moves at its own pace- sometimes we would like it to slow down, other times it doesn't move fast enough. But the wonder is that it goes on.

As our community's recovery follows this same principle, the result usually spurs situations that involve people in all the different stages of life looking for the path that creates a solution to their particular issue. When a common need is experienced within a common time period, there is generally an energy that is created and movement to the positive side of the equation occurs for those involved. However, as with any situation, science reminds us that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

In recovery terms, this has been a very fragile balance. When forces that are not in line with the general welfare of our community's recovery attempt to ignite, arouse, and undermine the good of all for the good of a few, conflict arises. What has been perhaps one of the most telling signs of the productivity of our recovery in whatever stage or situation has been experienced has been the phenomenon of work. Another word for work is effort. And it has consistently proven to be true that our community's recovery has been directly proportionate to the effort of the members of our community. The sounds of hammers, saws, heavy equipment, shovels, lawn mowers, weed-eaters, and the like have consistently occupied those whose efforts have brought our recovery to our current level of achievement. What has been missing in the sounds of our recovery from those whose efforts have led us here are voices. Perhaps the reality is that people most responsible for our success and whose efforts have been about achievement TALK LESS and DO MORE.

I gladly accept the Sounds of Silence of hammers, saws, heavy equipment, shovels, lawn mowers, and weed-eaters, and the like as just the opposite- these Sounds of Silence are exactly what has brought St. Bernard back. DO-ERS with solutions DO- watchers with distractions watch. The DO-ERS will continue to take the next steps for the good of our beloved St. Bernard and may say very little in the process, but know the DO-ERS are the root of our growth. If you have been a DO-ER, thanks and keep on DOING if you have not been- it is not too late.

Always believe that every problem has a solution and there is a path through every obstacle. And always remember that the Sounds of Silence in our Recovery and Growth speak so much louder than any other noise that attempts to distract. Keep on keeping on St. Bernard- you are doing great.

God Bless,
Craig P. Taffaro, Jr.