On June 13, I am going to be facilitating an online community meeting for an esteemed community of group therapists.
Here’s an online definition of community:
com·mu·ni·ty
/kəˈmyo͞onədē/1. a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.
2. a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.
As I’m looking at that definition, I’m thinking how important difference and diversity are (not just things shared in common) for enriching a community.
I’m planning on asking people questions during the online community meeting, like
- What does community mean to you?
- What gets in the way of community for you?
- What helps you connect to a community?
I’d also like to share the poem “community” by rupi kaur, which was featured in my previous blog post about community:
when the world comes crashing at your feet
it’s okay to let others
help pick up the pieces
if we’re present to take part in your happiness
when your circumstances are great
we are more than capable
of sharing your pain
Here‘s a video on rupi kaur from the community of the Sikh Foundation of Canada.
Do any of my photos from yesterday relate to community?
Because part of community is creating a safe enough space for others to participate, what are your thoughts and feelings about community?
I am grateful for all my communities, including this one!
The Year(s) of Living Non-Judgmentally 
In times of social distancing, the safe embraces of community are more important than ever. Our world is so darn interesting, Ann.
Thank you for your safe embraces, my interesting and important friend.
As for little tigers, it’s okay to let others like Oscar help pick up the pieces. It’s also okay to let others like Harley coach the entire process.
It’s a great community.
Community is kind of like a big family! ღƪ(ˆ◡ˆ)ʃ♡ƪ(ˆ◡ˆ)ʃ♪ღƪ(ˆ◡ˆ)ʃ♡ƪ(ˆ◡ˆ)ʃ♪ღƪ(ˆ◡ˆ)ʃ♡ƪ(ˆ◡ˆ)ʃ♪
Thanks, sister!
It’s my pleasure, big sis! (♡ ὅ ◡ ὅ )ʃ♡
I ask my kinder this each year, and they have a pretty good grasp of community. things like ‘taking care of the people around you and they’ll help you if you need it.” all about empathy, caring, connection, kindness, safety, compassion, and security. they get it
it’s wonderful when kids have a good grasp of community and I’m sure that reflect on you, beth.
I like that poem, Ann- for me community is helping each other . Have a nice day, Ann
Thanks for being a helpful part of this community.
I really like Rupi Kaur’s poem and that there’s a vast and complex community of Indian poets, past and present, and that they’re really part of a world community of poets which is open to anyone through the simple act of writing poetry.
I’m also thinking about how community, communication, and communion all have the same common root, the Latin communio, which the OED says means, among other things, “shared nature or quality, kinship, obligingness”. That last word stands out for me because we’re all part of a common community and obligated to help each other and also because the spellcheck says it’s not a real word. We create language together, though, so any word that’s shared and understood by the community is a real word.
Thank you for sharing such real words, my friend.
Again, Another great looking meal. Appealing to all the senses.
-Alan
Thanks for another great looking comment!
We need more community love and support right now. I’m scared where things are going in the U.S.. What happens in your country affects the whole world.
Thank you for the community love and support, Carol. ❤
Community is something we all need now and at all times
Thanks for being part of this community, Jo-Anne.
I think community has certain shared values and agreements–basic, usually, because it’s a big tent.
I think we share many values, Lisa.
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