Community

I hope those who celebrated had a lovely Mother’s Day! Mine was very relaxing.

In our post-lockdown world, the word “community” has taken center stage: all of us want and need it. The Oxford dictionary defines it as “a feeling of fellowship with others, and a result of sharing common attitudes, interests and goals.”

I believe that God created us to be with others and to not be alone. We’re generally happier when we’re in communion with others. We’re social creatures, and we need others on our journey of life. 

How do we connect? Family, in all its configurations, is our first introduction to community. It’s where we, hopefully, learn, share and help, although that’s not always the case. Families tend to connect with other families especially through school, and we may also connect through our churches, volunteer organizations, social clubs and special interest groups, sports teams or our work. Those who are single might join singles groups, while those who are at retirement age, may move into a retirement community. There are many ways to connect.

Depending on if we live in the city, country or suburbs, each offers a different style of living and experience of community life. It’s great to have a choice because all of us are unique in how we want to live and take part. There’s a right place for each of us that best suits our personalities, which is important because we want to know that we belong. 

I think it’s important to our well-being that we’re part of something larger than ourselves, and I think we want and need community more now than ever. It was really hard when we lost in-person contact during the lockdown. Yes, we thankfully had technology that helped us stay in touch, but it’s not the same as a personal touch.

The byline for Eva Marie Workshops is Connect, Create and Celebrate. Last May, we started a monthly, in-person Coffee Connect as an opportunity for women to come together again and to share our thoughts, hopes, and dreams. At the end of this month, we’ll be celebrating its one-year anniversary, and I’m so grateful it’s been a source of community and joy. We have a great time as we connect, grow, share, celebrate, create and learn from each other.

As we reach out within our communities to serve, encourage, or engage in other people’s lives, we’re telling them that they’re important and they matter. Each one of us has a purpose and possesses gifts and talents that our communities need. How are you serving your community?