When "One Day" Becomes Today, But in a Different Way: Reflections on True Elevation Through Community
Have you ever caught yourself walking past first‑class on a plane and thought, “One day that will be me”? I have. That quiet longing to elevate feels familiar. But today, that “one day” means something deeper to me beyond personal comforts and escapism. What resonates most is the courage to ask for help when needed and to lift others in need. That is what matters now and that is what this moment calls us to do.
Right now, instability and uncertainty touch many lives. Unemployment remains stubbornly high at 4.1 percent as of June 2025, while youth unemployment across OECD countries hovers near 11 percent. (1)(5) In Pennsylvania, leaders are still negotiating a full state budget more than a week past the June 30 deadline, delaying funding for schools, transit, and nonprofit operations. (2) In Philadelphia, nearly 9,000 municipal workers are on strike, pausing services like trash collection and pool access. For many households without cars, simple tasks such as disposing of trash have become exercises in hardship. (3) Meanwhile, in Philadelphia and Delaware County, thefts from SNAP accounts have left families unable to afford food.(4) Global conflicts and refugee crises further erode economic stability and emotional well‑being. These challenges impact our homes, our relationships, and the people we love.
Yet I have witnessed resilience rise in unexpected ways. Communities lean into creativity. Neighbors share child‑care duties, tool libraries, and resources. Freelancers and small businesses offering design, tutoring, and crafts are launching micro‑enterprises. These responses are rooted in hope and solidarity.
Lessons from the pandemic still guide us. Many who invested modestly in stocks saw real growth. Others pursued digital certificates, sewing courses, or language learning that brought new income. Families formed cooperatives around groceries, utilities, and emotional support. These efforts were genuine investments in our collective future, and they remain relevant today.
This experience reminds me of a vital truth: real elevation comes from solidarity, generosity, and creative problem-solving for our neighbors and communities. These are the currencies that cannot be bought. They are priceless, and they endure when material wealth fades.
If this moment feels like a turning point filled with constraint and uncertainty, you can still make an impact today. Share a skill. Lend a resource. Learn through virtual library workshops. Support artists or small businesses. Launch or join neighborhood efforts helping seniors or children. Last and certainly, not least, ask for help when you need it. These actions may not erase every crisis, but they create a new chapter of transformation. They show that “one day” can truly become “this day” when we act together.
Sources
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 2025: Unemployment data: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm
Spotlight PA, Reporting on Pennsylvania’s missed June 30 budget deadline: https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/06/budget-deadline-impasse-pennsylvania-shapiro-house-senate/
Axios & WHYY, Coverage of the July 1 municipal worker strike in Philadelphia: https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/06/30/municipal-workers-strike-dc33-trash-pickup and https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-largest-union-first-strike-40-years/
CBS Philadelphia, Report on SNAP fraud in Philadelphia and Southeastern Pennsylvania: https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/snap-benefits-reported-to-be-stolen-in-philadelphia-southeastern-pennsylvania/
Joint Center, Analysis of unemployment trends, June 2025: https://jointcenter.org/june-2025-jobs-day-analysis/