Americans want to feel beautiful again. We may be the dominant world power, militarily and economically, but a majority of Americans experience a diminished quality of life within communities degraded by aging infrastructure and neglect of essential services.  We are confused about our identity, our values and our priorities. We have lost touch with our soul, our spirituality, our humanity and our sense of greater purpose. Yet we can work together to identify and define the problems, inventory our strengths and assets and develop an action plan for positive change to help us get back on track. The goal is to help ourselves, we Americans, to again feel happy, and be proud, to make good lives for ourselves and for our children.

In this atmosphere, the mental health of the nation deteriorates. When chronically not feeling safe and secure, our levels of stress increase. As stress and anxiety increase, we are more susceptible to other ills such as depression and paranoia. Most people are also working too many hours at jobs that don’t provide them a sense of financial security. They feel uncertain about their futures and are uncertain who they can trust. As we lose cohesive communities, we lose one of society’s traditional safety nets and people are more vulnerable to trauma. Children are most vulnerable and the consequences include increasing rates of developmental problems, attention deficit disorder, anxiety, depression, and conduct disorders. Eventually we’ll all have some degree of post traumatic stress disorder. We’re already witnessing an explosion in rates of substance abuse and addiction, sequelae of PTSD.

The good news is that America had a good start in life and was built on a foundation of very positive and sound principles that has informed our national character and identity. This should give us much cause for hope. In order to reconnect with our true self- to remember who we are, what values we hold dear, and how to behave in a manner that stays true to our values- we first must work to heal ourself from the injuries caused by years of emotional, spiritual and physical trauma.

The most important initial step is to minimize or stop inflicting new trauma so that we can start healing. Heal what’s ailing us now and change circumstances and behaviors to prevent further harm. Re-establish strong cohesive local communities and restore a sense of safety and security. Make healthier choices for our bodies and our minds and for the well-being of our children. Restore the balance between the spiritual and the material. Realign the mission of government to be a effective agent that promotes the health and welfare of people and community.

Through self-examination, soul-searching and public dialogue, America can rediscover and reconnect with who we are, who we aspire to be and we can change our reality to reflect that. This is the path to regain self-confidence, positive self-esteem, contentment and sense of peace as a nation and a people once again.