How will we live tomorrow?

“I’ve found a little spot in Scottsburg to park my motorhome. It’s got a little grocery store and a restaurant with a bar. I’m 45, single, and not looking for a woman. What else do I need? If I get the urge to move on, the first of the month I just drive away.”

James Davis, Susan Komen cancer T-shirt wearer, Eugene, OR

James’ wife died on June 4, 2015. On June 6 he left with their dog and her ashes and rode his bike to 32 states in 100 days.

How will we live tomorrow?

“More creativity, I hope. We are going to need more creativity.”

Walter Funke, art student, Bozeman, MT

How will we live tomorrow?

“I live in Tacoma. We are beginning to have water problems here. We are trying to figure out where we want to retire. Someplace with good water.”

Doug Huff, Ferry operator, Tacoma, WA

How will we live tomorrow?

“We will live in the perfect love of the Creator of the Universe.

Some call Him Father.

    Some call Him Dad.

    Some call Him Papa.

    Some call Him Love.

    Some call Him Creator.

We will participate in and witness the restoration of all things, Humanity and Creation alike.

We will live in peace.

We will live in harmony.

We will live in full provision.

We will live in Love, in Him,

    for in Him, we live, move and have our being.”

Laurie Hilgers, writer, www.withlovefromportland.wordpress.com Portland, OR

How will we live tomorrow?

“Self-driving cars will be mainstream.”

Lucy Williams, cyclist, Seattle, WA

How will we live tomorrow?

“There will be a lot more people. We have to learn to accommodate them. And dogs. With more people, there will be more dogs.”

Tymer, dog owner, Seattle, WA

How will we live tomorrow?

“My hope for tomorrow is that people will live in community. We have to realize that we cannot make it on our own.”

Karen, clerk at Fred Meyers, born in St. John’s, returned to St. John’s, Portland, OR

How will we live tomorrow?

“In peace, hopefully.”

Terri, Yo Yo Yogi, Portland, OR

How will we live tomorrow?

“I have so much house. It takes so many resources to keep this place for two people. We’ve lived here 25 years; we raised our family here. The house was great when it was full of people. Now I’m ready for less, but I’m not sure what that will look like.”

Gerri Cullers, empty nester, Portland, OR

How will we live tomorrow?

“I think robots.”

Rachel, Clinical Research Administrator, Portland, OR

How will we live tomorrow?

“I think about global warming. I just read an article on sea-level rise. In New York and Los Angeles, everyone is going to have to move.”

Isaac Hornblatt, millennial, Portland, OR

How will we live tomorrow?

“I like to make vision boards for the New Year. When you do that, they can come true.”

Emily, newly arrived from California, Portland, OR

How will we live tomorrow?

“I don’t like what technology is doing to us. It’s such a small space. I like working with youngsters. It’s all about connecting with them, helping them learn to sit up at the table.”

Ann, Head Start Teacher, Portland, OR

How will we live tomorrow?

“I am leaving to travel in Asia for a few months. I want to learn about how I travel, about my patterns and habits. I don’t have any agenda aside from learning more about me. I just finished a Master’s Degree in Social Work and I want to process that before I decide how to apply it.”

Tess Hornblatt, expectant traveller, Portland, OR

How will we live tomorrow?

“I’ll be working here, but it’s supposed to be a nice day so I’m happy.”

Brian, Berry Good Fruit Stand, Portland, OR

How will we live tomorrow?

“Great.”

Janelle, clerk at Miranda’s Bakery, Woodburn, OR

How will we live tomorrow?

“I’m a survivor, thanks to the good Man upstairs. Been clean for eight years. I tell everyone I see whether they want to hear it or not.”

Larry Stewart, Groundskeeper, Albany School District, Albany, OR

How will we live tomorrow?

I think we will live in a world that is becoming more time poor and hurried. Technology is developing at an incredible rate and people rarely “switch off” to enjoy the moment. Social media, emailing, smart phones mean people are rarely disconnected from the outside world and are constantly being bombarded with useless facts and information creating brain clutter. Technology has many advantages, such as solar energy etc. but I do wonder if we are getting to a point where it’s gone too far. I feel children of today are more knowledgeable on some things due to the resources at hand but I do feel sorry for them as they have not experienced a life without iPads, TVs, game pads etc.

I think we will get to a point where many will try and return to a life of simple existence. But it will be a hard battle.

I believe the world will also sadly have a greater divide between the rich and the poor.  Creating more conflict and unrest. As society becomes more self-absorbed it is becoming increasingly more important to lead by example and educate our children on other cultures, to empathize with peoples struggles and help where they can.

Finally, we are living longer. The gap in health care is going to be a concern further creating a divide between rich and poor. In developed countries like America and Australia there is an alarming array of non-healthy foods parading as healthy fast food options contributing to an incredible amount of avoidable health issues, such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension. Time poor parents/people believe many of the false claims put on food packaging by savvy marketing experts. Our children will then repeat these habits.

I will live tomorrow trying to lead by example, living a healthy lifestyle, switching off from technology daily and appreciating the beauty that exists in nature, as we know it today. I try to live a life that shows our son how other people live, to not judge but empathize and understand. I try to minimize my impact on Mother Nature and not get caught up in the world of marketing. I will live my tomorrows trying to live a simple life.

Realee Hooton, Australian Army wife stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, DuPont, WA