Community – The Antidote To the World We Find Ourselves In
Community - The Antidote to the World We Find Ourselves In
In today’s world there seems to be a lot of people who can find a lot of things to disagree on. But I believe we can all agree on one thing; that overall, the current vibe is a bit chaotic and quite negative. In the midst of it all are, what I like to call, the 3 d’s: discontentment, disconnection and division. This week I’d like for us to consider: Community- the Antidote to the Word We Find Ourselves In.
The Week Is New
The week is new! If you have been joining in regularly you know the drill. For those of you who are new to us, grab your favorite mug and drink and set aside a few minutes to sit and chat! You may have noticed it has been 2 weeks since we last sat together. Going forward this will be the new schedule. Every 2nd Monday morning you will find a new blog post right here!
Be sure to check in regularly. I miss you when you don’t show up! Even better, to ensure you don’t miss any postings, see the directions to subscribe to receive this blog in your email on the right hand side of the page. If you are reading this outside of the website, click here to go directly to the website.
Step 1- Considering Community
What do you think of when you hear the word “community”? How would you define the word “community”? In contrast to the 3 d’s mentioned above: discontent, disconnection and division, community speaks of similarities, support and unity. A community is a group of individuals who gather together. That gathering can, but doesn’t have to, take place in the same physical space. Individuals in some communities may have never physically met one another, but are connected none the less. Communities have similar interests, visions and/or goals. They gather for the purpose of having a united voice. Communities also gather to support and encourage one another.
What Do Your Communities Look Like?
We are part of many communities. Our families, our social groups, our churches, our work places, the people we hang around with, groups that we find ourselves interested in, hobby groups, and sport groups are all examples of communities. They all represent people with common interests, coming together, with a united voice and purpose, supporting and encouraging one another. What communities are you a part of? Can you identify the common voice and goal of each of those communities? How do you support and encourage one another?
My Hope And Vision For This Community
This blog can also be a community. Although we are not physically together as I write and as you read this blog, my hope and vision for this time and space is that through it we can build a community; a real sense of being together. My hope and vision includes a two way dialogue that is more than me writing and you reading. I want to hear your voice, answer your questions and talk about topics that are of interest to all of us. Over time, I want us to grow together, supporting and encouraging one another, as we share our hearts, thoughts, vision for our lives and the lives around us, our dreams and the goals we will put in place to get us there.
Together, In This Time And Space, We Can Build Community
Did you know that we can actually chat back and forth through the comment section? I welcome your comments, questions, suggestions for topics of discussion and your thoughts. Your heart is what I want to hear! I want to hear all about your big dreams! Be the one to start the conversation and someone else will be more likely to join in. As well, you can always be in touch with me through email or on my Facebook Business page. Let’s make this a two way conversation!
Step 2 - Community And The World We Find Ourselves In
“The world we find ourselves in.” There is something about this statement that doesn’t sit right with me. I believe it is the sense I get, as it rolls off my tongue that we have allowed life and the world to happen to us; it has impacted us, but we have not moved in such a way as to impact it. We are meant to take an active role in life and the world around us. Sitting back and allowing life and the world happen to us, puts us in a situation where the 3 d’s have full control over us and maximum impact on us. Discontentment, disconnection and division; this is not the direction we want to be headed in. Discontent = lack of satisfaction or contentment. Disconnection=to detach or terminate a connection. Division=separation and disunity. The 3 d’s involve the breaking apart of connections and the resulting lack of contentment.
Step 3 -Community As An Andidote
I believe that the antidote can be found in the building of community. An antidote is something that remedies or counteracts. What are we counteracting? We are counteracting the fact that we have allowed the world to impact us, rather than impacting it. The 3 d’s of discontentment, disconnection and division that have resulted in a negative and chaotic atmosphere also need counteracting. Now what? It is time to build community. Remember, community is about connection; connection around common interests, vision and goals; connection that happens when we support and encourage one another. This connection is an active process. It requires a decision, on our part, to become part of a community, to work to grow within that community and to help build that community. Connection counteracts disconnection. The active process counteracts the inactivity of allowing life and the world to happen to us.
Who Is Your Community?
Where do you find community? How to you connect and grow in a community? We are already connected to many communities by the very nature of communities. We are human beings – we have interests, visions and goals. By the very nature of that we have a connection to communities that are already established. As human beings, we were created to connect. We are meant to be in relationship, not just with God but with one another. Communities are natural places for us. However, in the midst of the world we have found ourselves in, many of us have become discontented, disconnected and divided. There is no judgement in that statement. But it is necessary to state, because until we become aware of our current condition, we won’t be able to make a decision to change that condition.
Step 5 – Communities: Identifying Where You Need To Grow and Build
So, now for the fun part; it is time to find your tribe and start connecting. As mentioned earlier, this is an active process:
1) You need to make a decision to have an impact on life and the world around you, rather than just letting it happen to you
2) You need to identify your community
3) You need to commit to growing as an individual within that community
4) You need to commit to helping build that community
Do you have some communities in mind that you can step into and start growing in and helping to build? Or do you have a community on your mind or in your heart that you haven’t yet come across; a community that you believe is yours to build? Now is the time!
Step 6 -Community: You Can Start Here
This blog is a community waiting to be built. Although we are not physically together as I write and as you read this blog, my hope and vision for this time and space is that through it we can build a community; a real connected community. I can’t emphasize it enough, I want to hear your voices, answer your questions and talk about topics that are of interest to all of us. Over time, I want us to grow together, supporting and encouraging one another, as we share our hearts, thoughts, vision for our lives and the lives around us, our dreams and the goals we will put in place to get us there.
Community: What's Next?
Together, in this time and space, we can build community. Drop some comments in the comment space below. Let me know how you feel about what we are talking about. Throw in some suggestions for future chats.
Also, you can always be in touch with me through email or on my Facebook Business Page. Let’s make this a two way conversation! Let’s build a community.
Until Next Time
Communities happen in many different times and spaces. Step out today and identify at least one community to really commit to. Jump in with both feet and see what amazing things happen. I would love to have you actively join and begin building this community as well. Let’s see how many comments we can drop in the comment space below!
Well, it is that time again! I’m out of tea and so it is time for me to go. So happy you dropped by! Remember, if you are on my blog, there are directions to subscribe to receive this blog in your email, on the right hand side of the page. Otherwise, click here to go directly to my website.
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From my heart to yours!
Laurie
