Be part of building the community you want to live in.

Several months ago I joined an online group that works to create community and increase communication within neighborhoods. I quickly saw that a good portion of the posts were complaints and concerns of one kind or another about the neighborhood, or even life in general. Thinking that I could do something to help, I asked people on the site if they would like to have a neighborhood community meeting. I got lots of enthusiastic responses saying Yes! I took a poll of the best day and time and excitedly went to my local library and booked a meeting space once a month for the next several months. I then announced it online. Over the last few months, I've met only a few of those enthusiastic responders. The online complaints haven't stopped.

​That's not the end of the story though, because our group continues to meet, and I have hope that it will grow. Some come still complaining, others come with big smiles on their face ready to do whatever it takes, but all come wanting to help somehow. 

What I realized is that the neighbors around me were really asking for things: to live on a quieter street, have some peace, feel safe, live in a clean environment, and have beauty around them among other things. I want the same things, so I had to ask myself how I could go about being part of the building of what we all seemed to be wanting. It just took a few simple steps to get going.

​I realize not everyone wants to start a neighborhood community meeting, but everyone can do some thing, even one thing makes a difference. Just going to a community meeting is being part of something positive; who knows you might be inspired to build a community garden, or at least plant a seed in one! You might be inspired to march in a parade, or go to a city council meeting! There are so many things we can do in this world to be part of growing it instead of being on the outside complaining about it.

​You know what I discovered in this process? I discovered that meeting my neighbors and community building isn't all hard work, it is fun (we even make it a potluck - I mean how fun is that?)! I'm getting to know people that have lived in my area for years and we've never even spoken - some live right down the street. I'm realizing that if we can do this on this small level, we can be a positive part of this ever expanding global community.

​So I ask you my friends, what kind of community do you want to live in and what will you do to help build it? What will you do to make it happen?



​