I’ve always believed that each of us should be a part of something bigger than ourselves. Being a part of a larger something adds value to our lives. When we’re young it’s the kids in the neighborhood and those we go to school with. We just like being together. Play is the common bond.
When we get older, we play on organized teams and join scouting programs. Sunday school and catechism are options. Vacation Bible School works for some. Pickup games at a local field work wonderfully. The common bond is sharing our time. I truly believe that’s why street gangs are formed. People want to belong to a community. The actual experience is secondary.
As we get older, the groups change but not the need to belong. We hang with work associates, go to church, play poker with the boys and read the same book to share our thoughts with book clubs. We go to gyms to exercise, country clubs to play with friends, meet for a morning cup of coffee, or lunch, and constantly seek to connect.
Those who don’t have the desire, or funds to join social groups, hang out with their friends and neighbors. Others stick closer to home and share time with their families. That’s also why single people go to bars. They don’t want to drink alone. It may sound strange to some, but a gathering at a local watering hole is a form of community.
If you look up “sense of community”, you’ll find four key components.
- membership: sharing a sense of personal relatedness,
- influence: mattering, making a difference to a group
- reinforcement: integration and fulfillment of needs,
- shared emotional connection.
I think the key is sharing. We do better if we connect because we share our most important commodity, our time. When we connect with someone, we have the opportunity to make a difference because the connection matters. I don’t think we were meant to be alone.
I don’t know a lot about the Bible, but I don’t think it was an accident that Noah loaded pairs of animals on the ark. They were loaded two by two. One male and one female. He also took his wife, three sons, and their three wives. Pairs of people destined to establish a community. And even if you don’t believe the story, the idea of two by two is locked firmly in the brains of those of us who have heard it. Each pair of animals needed someone to connect with. To share their time.
If you belong to a group of like-minded people, good for you. If you don’t, consider it. I think you’ll be happier and live a richer life.
Yup!
Very true, Bob, we are meant to help each other, share with each other and have companionship. There are so many forms of that, and all are meaningful!