| We need each other. You might have heard me say, “love each other and mean it.” In light of what’s happening in the world today I mean it more than ever. How we choose to show up with community during this time depends on us. Social distancing does not mean we stop connecting with or caring about community. “There’s a way in which fear can be one of two things—the great divider or the great gatherer, What is the most compassionate, most community-building, the most loving thing right now when everyone is afraid? I think we have an opportunity where we can be great gatherers.” -Sonya Renee Taylor I see folks online offering classes for free, sharing resources, dancing and cooking together via Zoom. Some are even partaking in virtual Karaoke! Social factors have a powerful influence on our well-being, and we must continue to nurture these bonds. We need each other. Let’s gather in new ways. Ways that keep those most vulnerable among us safe and still fill our need for love, purpose and connection. Research suggests that individuals who feel a sense of security, belonging, and trust in their community have better health. People who don’t feel connected are less inclined to act in healthy ways or work with others to promote well-being for all. Healthy is not just about being sick. It is being together. What matters most when eating is not necessarily what we eat—it is that we don’t eat alone. Communal meals, connection and community are vital to our well-being. We all are looking for reassurance that we are not alone, that our stories are validated and that our experiences matter. Supportive community gives us this and more. Being in right relationship with folks creates harmony and happiness. Caring and connected social networks are barriers against stress and depression. Last week I gave a webinar called Building Authentic Relationships Across Difference, we had 150 folks together and it was deeply grounding and reverberated with the spirit of community. It’s an hour long and you can watch it HERE. (Download it to watch in full). Now is our opportunity to rethink and re-imagine the type of community you want in your life. Time to explore how our cultural need for individualism has kept us from the collective. Time to stop with binary thinking and be more expansive of our definitions for health, love, community and family. Its time for us to be great gatherers. Let’s take care of each other and let’s get free. |
Expanding, Imagining, and Gathering Together