What David McCullough wrote
The Liberatus website turns nine on Monday! Our official anniversary is March 18, and we are now running in our tenth year.
We made it to this milestone because of the support of our donors and stakeholders and through countless hours of hard work, from writing, to editing, to photography and design, to the long conversations necessary build a mission that's bigger than self. Thank you!
Update on what we've raised
To mark nine years and keep moving towards the goal of biannual publication, offering inspiration for American unity, I've set a goal of raising $2,000 in monthly commitments. As of this writing, so far this year donors have contributed $1,050, and we have a set of nine monthly donors giving a combined $210 a month. The increase in funding means I have been able to put in the hours to move one of the leader training assets forward, and it will also be a public asset for the benefit of all of us.
What David McCullough wrote
One of my favorite books of all time is David McCullough's The Wright Brothers. He mentioned that he was writing the book when I heard him speak at the Library of Congress, and it's a must-read for anyone who cares about American history and the direction of the country today. Take note of what he included about the brothers' accomplishment:
“'There was something weird, almost uncanny about the whole thing,' wrote [a newspaper] correspondent. 'Here on this lonely beach was being performed the greatest act of the ages, but there were no spectators and no applause save the booming of the surf and the startled cries of the sea birds.'” (pp. 157-158).
The lonely beach where the Wright Brothers from Ohio created the first airplane has been, for me, one of the chief sources of inspiration for Volume One and all of our work together so far. And having worked in politics, and seen the problems firsthand—and participated in them—I know that the mission to inspire American unity is a critical element of making our country more just and free.
What President Washington said, and why your monthly support matters
As part of creating leader training, I'm reviewing the journal entries in our archive. I've often thought of Washington's Farewell Address when he warned us about the spirit of party--but what struck me this time was this phrase:
"the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it."
Past donations and new donations set up to meet the $2,000 monthly goal all matter because it's up to us to discourage and restrain the spirit of party, and the outcomes it creates which Washington rightfully warned us about. How we organize is how we govern, and it's the challenge of our time to continue building the infrastructure and culture to unite the country in our time, to make it more just and free for the next generation.
Inspiration for American unity is about inspiring lifestyles where we collaborate, build trust, and build endurance. While everyone can participate in this mission and this lifestyle, the spirit of party is the opposite of these choices, and it's a chief reason why many are exhausted.
Organizing in a new way through a biannual journal will help us all choose these actions, will renew the energy of those working in politics, will serve to develop more leaders for American unity across the country, and will support partner organizations who are doing critical work to make the country stronger.
Celebrating the mission with a trailfest
Thank you for your participation--the mission to inspire American unity is truly bigger than any one person. Take time to pray in nature about your vocation and calling, and if you would like to create with us, set up a monthly recurring donation as a Liberatus Advocate.
As a Liberatus Advocate, you will receive monthly video updates about the mission, we'll print your name in Volume Two, and you'll be on the list for the invite to the annual ultramarathon and trailfest in November, where you can run, hike, or enjoy nature at any distance you choose. Like a run or hike, the mission to inspire American unity exists when we create it, and the trailfest is a way to celebrate the mission and embody the build endurance ethos to make the next generation stronger.
Cheers to nine years, and final words
You can also be part of writing Volume Two for free by writing a response to a one-question interview. If you like what you see of Liberatus—or if you don't and you want to improve it, I'd welcome your participation. You are welcome to reach out to me through the form at the bottom of the page. You can sign up as a Liberatus Advocate here.
Build endurance,
Caleb
Weekly Action Point
Take a look at the vision overview as we look to produce a biannual publication. Take time to pray in nature about your vocation or calling. Then, you can set up a monthly recurring donation as a Liberatus Advocate at the tab below. You can also write Volume Two with us by responding to a one-question interview. We will compile responses to the question about the future you imagine into a new vision asset to guide the stories that we tell, the research that we include, and the partner organizations that we fund.
Mission: Inspire American Unity
Create a culture of American unity for the next generation by producing content, experiences, and leaders that inspire it today.
Journal Entry #139
ISSUE 020: WHICH WAY FORWARD? — PART 6
The story of the Wright Brothers from Dayton, Ohio is filled with ideas of consequence for the culture of Capitol Hill and American politics today. And so for today’s journal, we will examine their story, drawing conclusions for our work in politics that will help us bring creativity and truth and beauty into our work.