PUBLISHER’S LETTER

Lately, I look around at what is happening in the United States and I have to wonder: What have we become? How did we get to this place where we seem so divided as a people? I know I’m not the only one with this question hovering over me every time I turn on the news or log onto the Internet.

The conflict and chaos I see at every turn has caused me to reflect on what really matters. You see, I am an immigrant who came to the U.S. from Germany. I truly believe in this country; otherwise I would not have chosen to become a citizen last year. I went through the entire legal process involving government paperwork, interviews and tests (yes, I studied endless hours) required of anyone applying for American citizenship. I am happy I did it and proud to be an American.

What I have learned living in America is that certain things here are quite different from my former homeland. Where I grew up in Germany, we could discuss politics with our friends no matter which party we identified with or which religion we practiced. Respecting each other’s point of view was understood, and we could present our own views based on the facts.

Here in the U.S. I have observed standards of etiquette that when you go out, say to dinner with friends, you should “never talk about politics and religion.” Why is that the case? I often asked myself that question, and with a quick Internet search I discovered that most likely it was a rule of etiquette dating back to the 1800s. But more importantly, as I pondered the question, the more I came to the conclusion that the majority of people don’t know enough about the “other” political party—or sometimes even their own party—and the same is true as it relates to different religions.

Which leads me to think about what really matters. Living to our fullest in harmony, a good life where we all get along—and, of course, a better world—would be at the top of the list. Sanibel resident and author Sally Hanser, who we feature in this issue, has inspired me in another direction. She wrote about the meaning of gifts and giving. “There are creative and meaningful ways to give to others,” Sally Hanser says.

Giving respect to others is one of those ways. So why in the world, I thought, are we not trying to put our differences aside and come together to live in peace and harmony?! Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” In the end it seems that to truly make the most of our lives, we have to include not only thinking of others and respecting their perspective—but giving to others.

Daniela J. Jaeger Group Publisher, TOTI Media