Lately I have been thinking about the benefits of community and feeling so thankful for the people in my life. Experience has taught me that I can’t go through life alone, nor would I want to. The connections I have with people are essential to my health and happiness and I am constantly reminded of how much they mean to me.
What is community?
Community, in its truest sense, is defined as a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. Community is also defined as a feeling of fellowship with others as a result of having something in common. In simple terms, community is a group of like-minded people.
There are so many different types of community and we don’t all find community in the same place. Community can be your family, church group, mom’s group, neighbors, co-workers, school group, workout group from the gym, Facebook and other online groups, or any number of other possibilities.
Benefits of community
Not everyone is natural at being around people and seeking social connection. However, even if you are an introvert, you should learn to see the good in surrounding yourself with others. The benefits of being in community include encouragement, support through hard times, resources, a sense of belonging, challenging us to see things from a different perspective or try something new, celebrating the good times, opportunity to help and support, and strength in numbers. We can grow, experience and accomplish so much more with others than on our own.
Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.
Helen Keller
We all have opportunities around us to connect on a deeper level. In a world that has become increasingly independent, we often have to make more of an effort to find a sense of community. It’s so easy to isolate ourselves and try to do everything on our own. However, when we do that we miss out on all the joy and happiness that comes from belonging to a group of like-minded people.
Support through hard times
Recently a classmate and friend of my son was in a terrible car accident. His health and fate remain uncertain even now. As we wait to hear updates about his health, I am struck by the power and importance of the amazing community surrounding him. The students, teachers and parents are all coming together to pray, send well-wishes, grieve together and support one another. While the family of this boy is waiting and grieving in the hospital, they are receiving emotional, physical and even financial support from this body of people who love and care for them. The students also benefit by the opportunity to come together and share their fears, anxieties and sadness. Going through trials is is always hard, but it can be made so much better with community.
Encouragement
I have a community of friends I met through church who constantly encourage me. We are all moms of similar-aged children who live near to each other and share similar values. What that means is that when I need encouragement in parenting my teenagers, advice on my marriage or help with life decisions, I know I can turn to these women and be lifted up. These women share in my good times, help me see things from different perspectives and motivate me. I trust them and admire them and I know they understand where I am coming from.
Encourage one another and build each other up.
1 Thess. 5:11
A sense of belonging to a community of others can improve your motivation, health and happiness. Studies have shown that even the simple act of holding someone’s hand or standing with them reduces stress and perceived fears. Making connections with people going through the same circumstances comforts you because you know you’re not alone.
Having family, friends and neighbors around me is invaluable to me. I’m so thankful for the people in my life. None of us were meant to do life alone and I know that being part of a community is essential to my happiness and health.
If you don’t feel a sense of community with those around you, you should seek one out (even if doing so it out of your comfort zone). Take the initiative to reach out and connect. You will find that your life is richer and you are a better person because of it.
Challenge for this week:
Spend time thinking about the groups of people you have around you. Do you feel a sense of community? If so, make efforts to strengthen and appreciate the community you have. If you’re missing a support system around you, consider people you have things in common with and try to connect with them.