Creating Community

Draft Community:

Recently moved to a new city. Community, when you're in one, is something you can take for granted. Finding one or building one for yourself cannot be custom ordered nor is it instantly accessible. Takes time; Fox in Le Petit Prince "apprivoiser" Not only does it take time but it takes work. In more than one circle have I heard the lament of our modern society "there's no community anymore." "No one knows their neighbor." I think this expresses a more generalized longing for community. This longing, however, needs to be coupled with a willingness to put in what it takes to create/foster/maintain? community. What does a commitment to community require? I'm sure the internet abounds with suggestions but in my experience it is a willingness to stick it through, to maintain a relationship even when it is not easy. This is something I learned at PERC and elsewhere. There will be times when you will disagree with someone or something upsetting will happen or something generally unpleasant. An easy way to deal with the resultant discomfort is to exit the relationship, be it volunteering or with a community group or neighbor. Love the community you have. Get over the fact that it is not perfect. Check your expectations. Are you perfect? Frame the challenges positively: what can you change? what can you learn? who can you help? It is hard to be patient and to trust time and others. It is possible to create deeply meaningful bonds. It is hard to try and try again particularly when we feel our expectations aren't being met. Again, perhaps this requires you revisit expectations rather than so easily dismiss a relationship.