Alderperson Kristin Alfheim's (District 11) Invocation At 08/03/2022 Common Council Meeting

Council President Van Zeeland: Tonight’s invocation will be delivered by Alderperson Alfheim.

Alderperson Kristin Alfheim (District 11): Balance.

Man Off Screen: Thirteen

Alderperson Alfheim: She got me. Balance. What makes finding balance so difficult? Perhaps it's that we have so many more things to consider than in the past: education, the economy, individual rights, small businesses, the climate, the arts, multi-cultures, religions, taxes versus service, suburbans versus downtown. The list of issues and priorities is endless and challenging. How are we to find balance in all this?

The first necessity is empathy, the willingness to see and feel from the opposite side of an issue. Without a willingness to understand the opposing view and how it affects them, no progress can be made.

Second is the willingness to learn from new information. Whether it be feelings or facts, new information should be accepted and either added to or replace your initial thoughts.

Third, it's necessary to be unselfish, to realize the greater good often requires common decency and a small sacrifice.

Balance is not about perfection. It is not about right or wrong. It's about acknowledging there are many people and factors involved, causing both positive and negative consequences. Finding balance takes work. I challenge this council and our community to always put in the work to find balance as we move forward together.