Dear Villagers, We are excited to share the final episode of It Takes a Village, where we focus on David Brooks' book, How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen. In this episode, we explore the last chapter on wisdom. Brooks reminds us that wisdom is not found in conventional knowledge but in how we witness one another’s stories. True wisdom comes from committing to see each other deeply, and embracing all the complexities that make us who we are. As you read this chapter and reflect on it—whether with your Village House, a friend over coffee or as you drift off to sleep—I hope you offer yourself and those you love the gift of illumination. See yourself fully, through eyes of compassion. Listen deeply to your own story, and if needed, let it break you open—enough to realize your capacity for love is greater than you often allow. Laugh at the times you’ve taken yourself too seriously, and remember that you don’t need to have all the answers, all the time. And above all, keep going. Keep doing the work, asking hard questions, telling your stories, and reaching out to those who, like you, are part of The Village and need to be seen and known. Brooks has a remarkable way of sharing wisdom that is both emotionally rich and intellectually satisfying. As a world-recognized journalist, he has engaged with some of the most brilliant minds of our time and narrated much of modern history. Yet what Brooks desires most, as revealed in this book, isn’t more fame or fortune—it’s to be an illuminator. He longs to be the kind of person who truly sees others, is open to their stories, and offers a safe place for people to confide. As people of faith, we strive to see the sacred in one another, loving others unconditionally, just as we are loved and accepted by God. This is perhaps our greatest challenge in a world that often creates barriers to connection, pitting differences against us, and reinforcing power structures that divide and isolate. But the work of The Village is to foster connection and belonging, nurture relationships, and co-create a faith community rooted in HOPE, radical love, and steadfast support for you on your journey. Remember, it truly takes a village. With love and gratitude, Rev. Dr. Jenny Shultz-Thomas
