During our most recent trip to Montana, we were gifted with seeing several herds of elk. Watching the large herds move in harmony brought to mind their innate sense of community.
I belong to several communities—family, friends, writing, online, coaching, health and wellness—to name but a few.
The communities we belong to have vital qualities including experiential knowledge, resources, teamwork, strength, influence, service, engagement, connection, emotional support (upliftment), inspiration, and solutions.
To which community did you most recently contribute?
Tuesdays with Laurie 
“Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.” ~ John Howard. Animals know this. I love my blogging community. ❤
Darlene — Ohhhh, I love this quote. Thank you for sharing it here 🙂
You are so welcome. I thought you would like it.
I agree wholeheartedly.
I live in a retirement community and it comes with a great opportunity to contribute in several ways .I belong to a group of elder-orphans and we support each other.Your photo of Elks is very meaningful to me.
Roamer — It’s wonderful that your group of elder-orphans support each other.
This morning I did an early shift as a Crisis Counselor for the Crisis Text Line. It is a meaningful way to contribute and support people in crisis without having to leave my home, or even get out of my pajamas! 👍😎
https://www.crisistextline.org
Sue — How GREAT is that?! My hat is off to you.
The writing community. I just passed on a few of my feeble “words of wisdom” to a young author I met at the UW Writers’ Institute. He wanted to know about hiring an editor (which could be an entire college course!). 😉
Chris
Chris — I’m always impressed by people in the writing community who are generous with their information. My hat is off to you for sharing your insights with that young author. “Hiring an Editor 101” would be a fantastic class! I’d sign up in a heartbeat! 🙂
That’s been a true revelation for me. So many writers–seems like every writer I’ve met– are willing and eager to share their knowledge and experience. Who would have thought such a competitive business would contain so many generous individuals?
This past weekend I participated in the Super Hero Shuffle; a 5k/10K walk or run (couldn’t walk because of a sprained ankle but paid my registration fee)..The community is children with cancer and their families. The children battling cancer or in remission are our super heroes. The community at the core are those children and families and the circles or supporters around them include broader rings family members, friends, nurses, doctors, and so many more. It is sponsored each year by Kisses from Keegan and Friends Foundation my brother and sister-in-law are executive board members. Keegan is my niece who survived her 3 year battle with ALL cancer. It’s a powerful community to be a part of.
We learned the morning of the event that the prior evening a young boy lost his battle with cancer. It breaks one’s heart. The foundation serves those children and families who need to shift their attention away from cancer in small ways. Please all who read this send healing energy, prayers or whatever expression you prefer to support those in this process. As a witness to the process I can say it is both very painful and remarkable to see.
Audrey — Heartbreaking. “Painful and remarkable.” Yes, I can see how what seem like opposites actually work together.
Audrey — Ohhhhhh, that sounds wonderful. What a fantastic community of big-hearted people!
Interesting question, Laurie. And as I’m about to press ‘Post Comment’ I’d have to answer blogging community.
Welcome home.
Leanne — Meeeeee toooooo 🙂
The best thng about communities is when people get together to achieve something good that benefits all or at least for the good of the many. I have belonged to many over the years, but I really used to enjoy being a member of my son’s school PTA and all the fund raising we did to improve the school resources. I made lots of friends and had a good laugh into the bargain.
Fatima — My mom loved being part of the PTA, and when I grew up and my son was in school, so did I. The Parent-Teacher Association does so many wonderful things!
I kind of miss it!
Community to me is people caring and sharing together. One of the communities I belong to that I recently connected with is my East End Writers’ Group a writing critique group I started 17 and a half years ago for we writers to share our writing and get feedback. We all learn something from each other. Now, don’t get me on the other group I belong to – it’s a local gardening club and its huge in number and big in heart and friendliness. Well, we are all gardeners.
Sharon — Seventeen years ago? Wow, that’s fantastic! Writing and gardening, what a lovely combination 🙂
My whole work experiences was around building community. Important to me
I can’t seem to tweet this today. Will try again
Patricia — You’re absolutely right. IN the workplace or OUT of the workplace, community is important.
Thank you for the glowing review of The Business of Being http://patriciaswisdom.com/2018/05/the-business-of-being-soul-purpose-in-and-out-of-the-workplac-laurie-buchanan-phd/
We as humans are a part of so many communities, aren’t we? Most recently I am contributing to and learning from the health care community as I re-enter the field as a Cna.
Lucinda — I’m tickled pink for you! 🙂
A great question, Laurie. And challenging for me to answer. Identifying my communities, my pack, my tribe, is not as easy as one would imagine. And recognizing a contribution, … at what point does it become an actual contribution? I’ll be out on a sing tomorrow with five of my hospice choir members. I blogged this morning on the value of cultural diversity. I’m a guardian ad litem for children in our court system. And I’m a psychotherapist about to go back to work after 14 years away. I must give this a bit more thought before I claim an actual contribution. Quite the contrary, actually. Being a part of each of these groups is either a genuine privilege or inherently rewarding. I feel I am the beneficiary of my involvement. Curious. And so lovely to now appreciate. Thank you.
Janet — I love when you said, “I feel I am the beneficiary of my involvement.” That’s beautiful. And I love that after 14 years, you’re going back into your field of psychotherapy. My hat is off to YOU!
Community is so important Laurie . I literally spent years in isolation, truly believing I needed no one …I was so wrong . I opened a door, then a few more and I have never looked back .
My writing group was the last community I helped , it’s all so worth it isn’t it .
Cherryx
Cherry — It’s amazing what happens when we allow the flower that is us to become part of the bouquet 🙂
Well Laurie, I am late to the party this week but made it just the same! My latest community contribution was a painting in a local group show with 57 artists from beginner to mid-career right here on Mayne Island. With a year-round population of just under 1,000 people this number of artists showing together is an impressive achievement for the local organizing group. A tip of my hat to them! It is a big job organizing an event like this. My small contribution was a large painting for showing, handing out post card invitation at my gallery and bringing a substantial wedge of delicious cheese purchased from a local shop.
Terrill — That’s a HUGE number of artists for and island that size! Mayne Islane (including your gallery) is on my bucket list. I can hardly wait! 🙂
The people who love and support me come from my church, writing, neighbourhood, tennis, cottage, work, children’s friends . . . so many communities.
Arlene — What lovely and diverse groups of communities you belong to! 🙂
I love my church community. I’ve contributed with music and visuals via computer and other smaller ways. To love as well as being loved is a vital part of building community.
Ah, the Elks – the name of my first Little League team in the 60s. As to community contribution I guess I can include my present efforts to help a first cousin in his Mayoral bid (re-election) as a Democrat. Perhaps not quite communal, but certainly for a cause so to speak. 🙂
Sam — How darned COOL is that?! I hope he wins! 🙂
GREAT and very IMPORTANT topic Laurie. How many times have we heard the saying “It takes a village” usually related to raising children! It takes a village/community to make us all feel loved, supported, encouraged, cared about. We need to know we “belong” whether in a family (relatives), a group of friends, work, church etc. I know from experience of not feeling it, and now I do, thanks to my brother, my friends here in Greenville, work and my church.
Ann — You’re absolutely right. We all need to love and be loved, and that takes community, whether it’s in the form of family, friends, or both. 🙂