You’ve probably heard about it – the new Chrysler ad, which is more about the city of Detroit, than about cars. I often say one of the most important steps any community can take, especially hard hit ones, is to generate stories of self-trust and hope – civic parables, really. Well, this is one of the best examples of such stories I’ve ever seen.

After last night’s State of the Union message and the Republican response, where to now? While the House Chamber was more civil last night during the president’s speech, civility alone will not generate the progress Americans yearn for. Instead, specific actions are now needed. Here are five key steps for us to focus on.

There’s been much debate since the Tucson shootings about the mental health of Jared Loughner. Many people want to know, who is to blame for his state of mind – the community or only himself? Also, what new laws governing mental illness and the involuntary detention of individuals should be on the books to prevent this kind of tragedy in the future? But here’s another question: what is our role in people’s mental health?

This weekend’s Arizona shootings should be taken as a shot across our nation’s bow – and nothing less. The country has reached a new boiling point when it comes to over-heated political rhetoric. At issue: how will we react? Will different sides in our politics use this as another excuse to assess more blame to the other side, or will we rise to the occasion? You and I can make this choice.

The past few years have brought an increasingly divisive and acrimonious political atmosphere. But, it’s still clear that people want to come together, people want to be a part of something larger than themselves, people want to act. The good news is people are ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work. We must tap into this energy and spirit as it can launch us forward.

Yesterday, the “No Labels” movement was launched and then roundly attacked from all sides. Its purpose: to call people back to core American beliefs and productive engagement in public life and politics. Their tagline: “Not Left. Not Right. Forward.” The knee-jerk attacks just go to prove the movement is sorely needed. Here's why.

Over the years we've found there’s a pretty simple value proposition for why it’s so important that we turn outward toward the community. If you turn outward and make more intentional judgments and choices in creating change, you will produce greater impact and relevance in your community.

In the last four days we’ve experienced the breakneck shopping of Black Friday and Cyber Monday; with all that’s going on in society, I wonder, is today, “Hangover Tuesday?” For many Americans, the bad news just keeps piling up – lost jobs, terrorism alerts, airport pat downs, and other societal ills. But are things really as bad as they seem, and what’s next?

Every chunk of time these days seems to need some grand narrative to direct our attention and national conversation. This Thanksgiving it is the battle over TSA’s airport pat downs and body scans. Hot and bothered Americans are calling for travelers to “opt out” of such “invasive searches” and slow down security lines. But this isn’t the real challenge in America today; it is to find a way to "opt in."