Community has been a go-to word over the last few years. It describes an environment that requires us to put the needs and unity of a group ahead of ourselves. At the same time, each unique and talented individual makes up that unit because of who they are, not despite it.
We all yearn for community but it remains elusive. True community is not created intentionally. It comes about when a group of people have something they share in common that brings them together. And communities come in vast forms and sizes; from a family to a group of a few friends to a group on Facebook of thousands.
I believe in community. We were created to be together; to never remain alone, to not feel unworthy of love or belonging. We need friends and family throughout our lives; people who are in our corner and people whose corner we are in.
Okay, most of us have family and friends. So why would we go beyond these people and seek out more? This is where I believe that courage comes into play. New people in different settings allows us to see ourselves in a clearer light. We grow when we live in spaces that are new and different to us. Going out of our comfort zone – extending beyond the bounds of our family or our normal group of friends.
I have been in the hospital during each of the last two Christmas seasons. These hospital stays have been the result of different reasons, resulting in different hospital experiences and recoveries. The first Christmas, my hubby planned the entire day. My mom had come to town, so she planned the food. My adult children helped with the cooking and carting of everything over to the hospital. My husband had arranged with the hospital for a room to use. When they rolled me down to the room there was a Christmas tree with decorations (taken from the tree at home), food laid out on a side table and presents under the 3 -1/2 foot tree. In addition to having my family all together, I had a very stress-free Christmas. I got to sit back and simply enjoy it. But my biggest takeaway was learning to trust others.
My newest growth spurt has been to join the ranks of the unemployed. While there are money issues to adjust to, there are also huge social issues. Once I was out of sight, I was also out of mind. My Facebook page went to iceberg status. No likes. No comments. Nothing. Everyone I had worked with for 17 years went silent. So, do I sit around and cry rivers? Heck no! I have been finding ways to make new friends and enjoy new experiences, like getting involved with a yarn shop and starting a yarn group in my area.
And that brings me full-circle back to courage and community. We have the courage to go out and build community in our own backyards, towns and yarn groups! So always looking up…
Rachael Warrington
Creation Station
605 S. Main
Newton KS 316.772.0883
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