Village View – May 10

Dear Friends,

It is nearing mid-May and here in the Northeastern US, the rhythms of Spring are taking hold in fits and starts.  Reflecting the uncertain times, perhaps, Spring has been tentative, not quite settling in, as if unsure that it wants to stick around. It has been distinctly un-seasonal.

When I contemplate the present state of the Abode, and our place in this moment and what’s to come, many metaphors, parables and aphorisms come to mind.  I will share two that seem particularly apt.

The first is from humorist Will Rogers, and is dubbed “The first law of holes.” It is this: 

“When you find yourself in a hole, quit digging.”

The second is a bit more complex, and is called the Stockdale Paradox. It is best illustrated:

In short, Admiral William Stockdale survived eight years of imprisonment in the infamous Hanoi Hilton. His story, and the origins and applications of the Stockdale Paradox, can be found here:  https://bigthink.com/personal-growth/stockdale-paradox-confronting-reality-vital-success

In assessing the best path forward for the Abode, our leadership team has examined a range of options for how to proceed this year. And we have been offered lots of advice, as well. Our decisions will be guided by the two principles noted above: We will not make things worse or take action to simply to be seen as being active; and we will have faith in our future while being realistic about the situation at hand.

This year is, for all practical purposes, lost. Yet, we believe that we are being presented with an opportunity to to address the structural issues that have seemed intractable for years. There is opportunity in the challenge.

To not address these issues while the opportunity exists would be fatal. Many details of what is to come are not immediately visible: they will continue to emerge, as what we are living with evolves. What we do know is that we need to change or we will not survive. We will move forward with optimism, tempered with pragmatism about the changed reality we are in.  We will be deliberate and are determined to save what means so much to so many.

We have committed to the goal of ensuring that the Abode survives to open in the Spring of 2021 and to consider all reasonable options for attaining that goal. We have already taken the following steps to ensure that we re-emerge next Spring:

• We have closed for all programs and events in 2020 and placed the Abode in “suspended animation.” 
  • This is largely a fait accompli as most of our rental events have cancelled, and no one is sure if or when any group events will be possible this year. 
  • This also means no gatherings, meetings, community meals or worship services.  This is the most prudent way to ensure our reserves will last until next Spring. We are informed by the actions of others, like Omega, in this regard.
• We are focusing our financial and managerial resources on restructuring the Abode to create a truly sustainable operation.  This will mean getting smaller, and simpler. 
  • We must accelerate the transition from a resident-centric model to a service-oriented model, and proceed with actions already taken to do so.  
• We will retain only a small core of paid staff, aided by volunteers, necessary to maintain facilities and provide operating continuity while we build the future Abode.
• We will emerge smaller, more focused and with a renewed call to serve the Message and all of humanity.

We do not know what comes next. We are refraining from guessing at a time when most is unknowable. We will focus our energies watching and assessing what emerges and how we can lead and serve. We will, for a time, turn within and listen. That is our best practice, and we will apply it to ourselves. 

Thank you for your continued love and support.

Al 

PS – We are always grateful for donations and if you have the desire and the means, you can do so here:  https://theabode.org/donate/

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