Submitted by Alan Colley, Host2Host Past President & Contributing Editor

These days don’t we hear a lot about “the new normal” and “ a watershed moment” for our country? Catchy buzzwords. What might these words signal for us as hosts in our communities. 

I’m not so sure we are facing “the new normal.” Not just yet. But a “watershed moment”? Very possibly. 

As a community I think we are poised on a metaphorical ridge line between one way of seeing the world (an old watershed) and a new one (a new watershed moment) where the way we see the world shifts dramatically - a paradigm shift, if you wish. The great thing about recognizing such a watershed moment is that we can give sober thought to our part in that moment. We might call this time an invitation to enter a vestibule.

Vestibule? I think so.

A traditional vestibule is, of course, a transition space. It’s a space to wait. But mostly to prepare ourselves to shed our outerwear - to discard the coats and boots - and be prepared to move indoors.

Could this time be like that?

This year has jostled us all out of our comfortability, hasn’t it? I really don’t need to tell you how wildfires, ice storms, COVID, homelessness, economic devastation all at the same time have ripped the fabric of our community. What we took for granted as stable has been upended. We have learned how fragile life and harmony is, and needs nurturing, not left to autopilot. It can be a moment in time where we really examine our priorities, our visions, our pursuits - to consider shedding outworn ways and to contemplate how we pursue our futures - a vestibule moment.

What does a vestibule moment ask of us?

I don’t cherish staying in a vestibule very long. It’s not purgatory, but I do recognize how a vestibule offers us time and space to prepare. Time and thought to see how we can harness and help the best possibilities of our new watershed moment. That’s where I think we are.

What do we hosts do with this? Those of us who work on your monthly Host2Host newsletter have been wrestling with that question too. How can we harness our collective minds, hearts and muscles to help our community bind up the wounds, and reweave the fabric of our society to include those who have been harmed, marginalized and left out? Host2Host is committed to do that. Perhaps you have already begun to reconsider how you will move forward. We would love to hear from you about it.

As we make the time and thought in our vestibules to see our role and opportunities ahead, we can walk into this new watershed with confidence and hope.

Alan Colley

Host2Host Past President and Contributing Editor