Community

In recent years around January 1st I have picked a word that I think needs emphasis. With a new year I think about what is going on and What word is important that we need to focus on. Words matter. The word I chose for 2021 is a word that I personally want to think about as the year moves along. It’s a word that is positive in a time that may not be.

This year my word is community.

It’s an interesting word for me to choose because in general I do just fine by myself, thank you very much. I can keep myself occupied when I am alone. I am happy being by myself. I do not crave being with people All the time. I’m content with who I am.

So, why did I pick the word community?

First, my reason is due to the fact we had to change our lives so much when the CoVid 19 pandemic became real in our lives. We had to isolate ourselves to stay safe. We had to change our daily behavior. It’s been over 9 months now and we have stopped or changed the ways we gather – to go to church and school, to get together for activities. At first I admit it was an okay thing for me – because, like I said, I like to be alone. It gave me an excuse to stay home, to read more, and to watch more movies and TV shows.

But as time has gone by I long to get back to ‘the way it used to be’ when we could be safely indoors, be close together, able to live life face to face without fear. Talk without masks. See smiles. Hang with friends and laugh.

But, the bigger reason I chose the word community is the need to get back to thinking of ourselves in living in community with each. Despite the differences we have – politically, economically, socially – we need to realize That we can’t get through our lives alone. In fact, differences make the world go round! If we all thought alike all the time, or enjoyed the same things, or wanted all the same things, everything would be more boring. We wouldn’t have a variety in fashion, in art, music, and in lifestyles, and job choices. We would not have creativity. We really could not survive!

Lately all the talk is about personal freedoms, and the fear that it might be taken away. We live in a country that promotes our freedoms. It’s a part of our foundation. But, why was it put there? I think it was for the acceptance and good of ALL. Notice I said ALL. It’s about allowing people to have choices.

But in my opinion our personal freedom should never be ranked above what is for the good of the community. Therefore that is why censorship is allowed to happen at times. Yes, allowed – and really needed. For the good of ALL people. For the community. We can’t have people putting out misinformation, lies, and such that hurt the community. We can’t have personal freedom run amok without rules of civility.

For us to get past this very tense time Happening now, to move forward, I feel we need to emphasis the importance of living in a community. We need to put our thoughts towards what will be good for not just me – for myself, but for the good of our neighbors – for those who are like us AND for those who are different from us.

Community involves acceptance. Community means living side by side peacefully. Community means caring beyond ourselves.

We really need a sense of community right now.