I have often wondered "why am I so drawn to HCI ?" The work of HCI is energizing and frustrating, passionate and draining, rewarding and discouraging. The hours often run well past 5pm and into weekends. The outcomes are sometimes years in realization. There is little money to do what needs to be accomplished and limited manpower.

HCI sounds a lot like parenting, or running a business, or teaching a classroom of youngsters, or coaching a soccer team, or being the leader of a spiritual community, or being a healthcare professional. Wow, it does! So, if we take it further, maybe HCI is what we are all going through every day, whether it is with our kids, co-workers, boss, or friends and neighbors. The relationships at work are key to our daily progress and personal pride in our career, just as the way a family deals with issues can make or break relationships there too. Our neighborhoods and schools are also communities where relationships run the show. How we treat each other and how we give back, are all key to making our lives richer.

A teacher from PA wrote, "Kindness generates pride, a sense of accomplishment, a 'Hey, look what we did!' feeling." But being kind isn't the only thing. Giving back or volunteering your time is what makes things happen. George Bernard Shaw wrote, "I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community, and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can."

So if we put together in a big stew pot all the troubles that exist in our community, from hungry children, poor and underinsured families, depressed teens, disease, unemployment, isolated seniors, violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and more, we would be looking at a very bleak and ugly, if not enormous mess. Suppose adding one ingredient could change that mess into a stew that might be edible. Is it really that simple to imagine that all of our society's troubles can be fixed so easily? If we could all make sure that each day, no matter what, we promise to be kind to someone, give a moment to a person-in-need, be open to possibilities where we could be of service…..well maybe, things could get better.

Over the years of building HCI into a functioning and positive force for our communities, I truly feel that the message of HCI "gives us all permission to do what we KNOW is right." If we all can be more aware of people and their situations, their feelings, and their needs, then we can't help but do what is right. Everyone has a role to play in the health and welfare of our community, and since we all are in this together, why not make sure we all "Take Care of Each Other" ?

For more information on HCI and how you CAN help, visit www.hci-rtm.org or call HCI Offices at 610-891-6286