Community: The Empowering Effect of Human Connection
I have been in a euphoric state experiencing a strong sense of well-being after a really great weekend of social connection. Only to be rudely awaken to today’s news of Putin starting a war against Ukraine. In fact, against the whole democratic world. There are still so many problems facing mankind. But I must remain optimistic. And this morning I remind myself of this valuable lesson from Martin Luther King Jr.:
“I am convinced that love is the most durable power in the world. It is not an expression of impractical idealism, but of practical realism. Far from being the pious injunction of a Utopian dreamer, love is an absolute necessity for the survival of our civilization. To return hate for hate does nothing but intensify the existence of evil in the universe. Someone must have sense enough and religion enough to cut off the chain of hate and evil, and this can only be done through love.”
So, I start my day with hope for a better future and love for humanity and community. Humans have formed communities since the dawn of time. And pre pandemic, I’d always looked for ways to get involved in my community. I was raised on Sesame Street’s “who are the people in your neighborhood.” But the past two years have been Two Years of Solitude. I got overly comfortable maintaining my social life online. I have kept in touch with close friends, but social distancing certainly impacted my social interactions. This past weekend, I was reminded of the joy of being a part of a community. I attended a dance camp. Participating in a dance marathon is certainly exhilarating carrying a sense of community and belonging. Think back to joyful times in your life. How many were those shared experiences connecting with others and feeding off the positive energy?
Being part of a shared space left me inspired. I have been really good practicing self-care. While it’s critical for well-being, it isn’t enough. We do need a community to thrive. Social interaction, being part of an engaging community allowed me to experience social well-being, a deep sense of coming alive and connecting to people enjoying the beat and vibrating positivity. No person is an island. And as self-sufficient as we become, and as good at self-care as we get, doing things together enhances each person’s experience. Community is strength. We build strength and stability through connection and collaboration. Being a part of a community allows us to take full advantage of others’ strengths and to learn by sharing ideas and knowledge. This makes for a more enriching environment. We can thrive, becoming the best version of ourselves, by embracing our own potential as well as the creative collective.
Working well with others is crucial to growth, to rising higher and higher. Modern work life consists of inter-dependencies. Most jobs require teamwork. Individual roles and responsibilities unfold within a team context. Collaboration requires a big picture understanding of how each person is an important piece of the overall teamwork puzzle. Collaboration is about possessing a strong work ethic and making a consistent effort to produce high quality work. It’s about looking for ways to contribute to the success of the team. Our decisions and actions have a ripple effect on other people.
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To be an MVP in the workplace and out in the world:
We may not be able to impact world’s big events. But we can create a tidal wave of good feelings and positive change within the communities where we live and work. To thrive, find your tribe. Build a healthy support network by surrounding yourself with people who will propel you forward. Seek out those people who would continuously hold you to a higher standard and motivate you in as many areas as possible to enable you to grow into your potential.