I was on a Zoom call last night with a group of friends who I’ve known since 2008. Initially, we met at a personal development workshop in Santa Barbara, having been paired as a cohort for the weekend. Little did we know that this pairing would result in a long term friendship that has weathered both time and geographic distance. 

As I sat looking at my friends on the screen, I couldn’t help but marvel at the wisdom of the universe; a universe that brought a group of seemingly diverse people together who would find a thread of commonality that would bind us together. It is just one example of the myriad of people who have graced my path over the years.

As I drifted off to sleep later on, I reflected on the different communities that have welcomed me throughout my life and the communities that I have helped create. How have they supported me? How have I supported them? What has each one represented for me and I for them?

Community represents connection and connection is critical for our vitality. Connection  is an antidote for isolation and, as we know, isolation is what drains our vitality.  We are social beings by nature and can learn and grow through this connection. Likewise, through connection, we can contribute to other’s growth and development. 

How we define community is individual though. For some, community may be family and friends. For others, it may be community convened around issues of personal significance. Community could even mean the people we see on the bike path, the gym or at our local market. Community is not defined by size but, rather, by a feeling of belonging and being seen. 

Where are your communities and what do they mean to you?