The Harbor

Holding Steady in Unsteady Times

A little downtime in New Bedford Harbor

The world feels shaky right now—like we’re out on open water, and the wind won’t let up. Everything’s louder, faster, and a bit off balance. And the more we try to outrun it, the more we realize…we can’t.

So, instead, some of us are just trying to become the harbor.

It's not perfect, not invincible, but steady—a place where people can pause when the world starts spinning.

Somewhere to rest. To breathe. To figure out the next move before heading back out into the waves.

Even in War - There Were Harbors

This idea isn’t new. Even during some of the darkest times in history, people held the line—not by fighting but by helping.

Red Cross nurses tending to wounded soldiers—on both sides.

Families hiding strangers in their attics.

People guiding others to freedom, quietly, steadily, knowing what it could cost them.

And those who didn’t make the headlines— just passed along food, messages, or comfort, asking for nothing in return.

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping."‘“

Fred Rogers

Most of these people didn’t wear medals. They weren’t famous.

But they were harbors—strong in quiet ways, holding others through chaos.

The Harbor in the Middle of the Road

If you’ve lived in the middle of the road, you've seen things. You know opportunity doesn’t always show up in the same way for everyone. The starting lines might look even, but we both know they’re not.

I’ve had chances. I’ve missed some, too. That’s life. Some of my choices were good. Others? Not so much. But here’s the thing—you don’t need wealth to mess up opportunity. That part’s universal.

What’s different is how you respond—whether you think the world owes you something or whether you keep going, even when it doesn’t.

For many of us, living paycheck to paycheck isn’t a choice. It’s what happens when you play by the rules and still come up short. You work hard. You give more than you get. And you don’t play the system—not because you couldn’t, but because it’s not who you are.

“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

Desmond Tutu

I’ve had moments when I came close to losing everything. The only thing that pulled me through was luck, determination, and some good people who showed up at the right time.

Life in the middle can be a beautiful thing. You see both sides. You figure out what matters. You find a rhythm. It might not be glamorous, but it feels right. And honestly? That’s enough for me.

Still, it doesn’t come without judgment. I remember someone once asking, “Do people really live paycheck to paycheck?” I wanted to say they do—every day—and no, we’re not asking for handouts. We hope that what we put into the system is there when needed.

What About the Good People?

We hear a lot about the takers. The fraud. The loopholes.

And yeah, it’s out there; I’ve seen it. But that’s not the whole picture.

What about the people who don’t work the angles? What about the folks who keep showing up, quietly doing their part, hoping it’s enough?

What about the good people?

“Character is how you treat those who can do nothing for you.”

Malcolm S. Forbes

Some of us never ask for much. We just wanted a life that felt fair. A little cushion. A sense that hard work meant something.

We never expected to have it all—but we thought we’d at least be able to stay a step or two ahead. And for a long time, that was enough.

The Harbor Isn’t Gone

Here’s what I believe: there are still harbors.

People still wave to their neighbors and workers who clock in because they care about the people around them.

Some still live within their means—not because it’s easy, but because it’s right.

They’re not flashy. They’re not loud. But they’re strong. And they’re not the problem.

“You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.”

William Faulkner

These are the people I want to stand beside. They make the world feel more grounded, even when everything else is shaking.

Safe Harbors

If you’re reading this and you’re worried—about the economy, about the future, about how close everything feels to falling apart—I want you to know something:

You’re not alone.

You’re not broken.

And you’re not invisible.

You might not feel like it, but you could already be someone’s harbor.

Just by being steady.

Just by being you.

Don’t change.

And in case no one’s said it lately:

Thank you.

Thank you for staying.

For showing up.

For holding steady—even now!

Talk soon…

G