Create Community

We are creating community.

Through planning, volunteering, and togetherness.

I am convinced that without community, we can become lonely. Stagnant in our experiences with others, our feelings can take a turn. Without the constant reminder of good in the world and good people, we can regress and begin to assume the worst things of others and the world itself. And our minds also, can turn against us, speaking loneliness instead of heathy thoughts.

People are meant to live together and reach goals with each other.

All of us know we live in an online world. We connect through social media and text more than phone calls, letters and in person visits.What that robs us of, is unthinkable.

The human interactions, the feeling of being known and seen, the every day load lighter because its shared, endorphins from connection, serotonin from hugs and laughter, the feeling — of being not on your own. It’s so precious, it is all that life is really about. Yet so easily, we miss it.

If the French bohemian revolution knew it :

To love and be loved is the greatest thing you’ll ever learn

 — than I am positive we know this too.

In our bones we know this is true. So what do we do?

We find it.

We become a part of it.

And if we can’t find it…we create it!

Every season might be different. Community can look a million ways, but as long as you are a part of one, you’ll decrease feelings of depression and increase positive energy. Your life will be and FEEL fuller. It won’t be perfect, but it won’t always be alone. And that is saying something.

As a young mother I needed to be a part of a moms group that understood how hard it was when my child threw a fit over a yellow cup, when my baby wouldn’t sleep through the night, or how I just wanted to take a shower without being needed. In various seasons I lived for my Zumba and Dancemix classes, where I could let loose and share in the joy of shaking it with my dancing queen sisters and brothers! I’ve been in bible studies, book clubs and self-help groups where sharing heart ache or inspiration were important to me. I’ve done writing groups and dance classes to hone my craft and let the artist in me bud.

My husband has joined runner clubs in the past and created a basketball group one summer that all the dads he knew could enjoy. He’s also done book studies and mens groups. Sometimes, we are volunteering — he’s coaching and I’m teaching dance — whatever it is, we are with people.

There are also MANY seasons of life, where we don’t do this.

The seasons it feels like we have no people and it feels like we walk through life unknown and unseen, but just…working really hard. Those are the absolute hardest of times. And I don’t think it teaches our children well.

Because even they, when offered an opportunity to volunteer or join a club, they will only do it if their friends are doing it. The thing they don’t realize is, if you do it — that’s where you’ll make friends.

So my challenge to you is this: If you feel yourself on the lonely side of life, find a group. And if you can’t find one that interests you, create one!

The last few years my season of community has been with the Loveland Stage Company. I know I talk a lot about it here on my pages but that’s because it’s become so powerful to me. Last year I became a board member and chair. Because of this, I’m tasked with fundraising for the building.

What I’ve done instead, is created multiple fun events, that the people in this community and this town — would actually enjoy. And I couldn’t do it without others, so I work really hard with a few other VERY hard working friends and pull off these events. And do you know what it’s building?

Community. Friendships. Togetherness. And, Fun!

We cannot put a price on fun. Fun is so important to me! Without it, I’m not sure I have the stamina to keep washing dishes — you know what I mean?

Here are a few pics of fall events we did at the theater — both a fundraising effort and a chance to bring more people through our doors.

“Haunting” the theater for the Halloween historical tours!

The best part was working together to create something new for people to enjoy. It warmed my heart, and I am so proud of the people involved that made this happen.

To learn more about what our little theater is doing in our little town, listen to this podcast I was interviewed on The Loveland Weekly: The Loveland Stage Company with Jenna Schroeder

I hope you’ll find it encouraging to find something in your city that brings you life — or that you can bring more life to.

Here’s to finding our people, and being a part of something bigger than ourselves.