This is part of our Voices series with City of Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz, where he breaks down his thoughts about what’s going on in the City – in just one minute. Want to join the conversation? We invite you to write for us. Learn how to share your voice here.

We are living in a chapter of life where remaining flexible + adopting a willingness to think outside-the-lines is incredibly important.

The reality is, we are creatures of habit. We prefer things the way we want them to be. We resist change and we certainly don’t like being told how to live. This independent human spirit brings great variety and constant ingenuity to life. However, we must also be wise + live as drastically as necessary. Circumstances place demands on social order. A nation at war cannot live the same as a nation at peace.

We are about to enter one of the most challenging fall seasons of our lives. It will have unusual demands, create disrupted schedules, and we will experience missed expectations. As a result, we must provide greater grace, extra patience, have a willingness to “flex”, and stay nimble in order to successfully navigate these waters.

It may require moments to find an isolated place to just scream from time-to-time, too. 😊 That’s okay, but be encouraged! There is an even greater challenge in the days ahead.

This season provides a marvelous opportunity to reflect the true character of our lives, both individually + as a city! We will have the opportunity to become an even more remarkable Lakeland because we choose to work together and respond thoughtfully at hundreds of different levels. I want to encourage us as we enter this chapter to simply remember:

We are experiencing these challenges together. We all feel the pain. Our intentionality allows us to pull together + navigate challenges with greater unity and purposeful solutions. In order to do so excellently, we must make the most of the best and the least of the worst. If we do this, we will win.

Thank you for the daily decisions you will make, the ideas and flexibility, you will contribute, and the thoughtfulness you will provide to others. I am confident we can do this + optimistic about the exciting, unanticipated outcomes and memories we will experience together.