Belonging to Community

Hello again,

Community is SO in the forefront of my experience and mind these days! Having celebrated Canada Day on July 1st in our little community (Sechelt, with a population of approximately 15,000 people), watching the colorful parade then joining in the festivities at the local park later enforced how blessed I am to belong to this beautiful coastal community and country. Canada Day is our equivalent to the United States' 4th of July Independance Day, a day to feel proud of those values we stand for and for being a strong people living in a resourceful land.

Here's a photo of our local Country Square dancers taken during our parade!

It is not only the "big picture" of living in this great part of the world that makes my heart swell, but the relationship with the surrounding people that makes me want to write today. Without valuable friends and neighbours (people who reside in close proximity to me, those known and even those not known, aligned in caring principles and actions), what is community?

AND...

As a means to replenish my “social batteries” and get off my butt after sitting at the computer for a year writing our BEST YOU eBook, I recently accepted an auxiliary job working for the Gov’t Liquor Store through the summer and again at Christmas. Here I get to experience another dimention of community, which I'm appreciating. It is happy, hard work uncasing boxes, stocking shelves and cashiering. For now, it is absolutely perfect, meeting my criteria of actively working with my strong body, working with an upbeat team of fun individuals AND talking with my community customers all day. I’ve never done so many squats in all of my life!

So, how do you experience a sense of community?

Who are the people that serve to inspire and motivate you?

Who really cares for you that you trust and appreciate?

If you do not feel you have a community around you, why do you think that is... and what do you think you can do to make it different?

Whether you know neighbours closely or not, it is important to feel that you belong somewhere! So, how about checking in as to who you care about, who cares for you, and opening your self and life more to let people in to knowing you better.

You really DO belong... but you have to open yourself to it!

Here's to community!

Warmly, Carolyn

We Belong... Community Is Home

After completing an important project today, I decided to take a break and go for a long walk before the predicted rains set in.

Along the way, I met one of our special neighbours and her gorgeous dog, Keeshaw. We stood and talked for several minutes and during our talk I became aware of how important it is for me to "belong" to a community of lovely people that reside close by. Though I don't know my neighbours like I do my closest friends, still my relationship with them is important in my life.

So I ask...

Do you know who your neighbours are?

I recall living in a high rise apartment building in the great West End of Vancouver for many years. Even though we lived in close proximity to people "down the hall," we had absolutely no relationship with these people... sad as that may be.

Instead, here on our Sandy Hook mountain we have a friendly way of visiting... often coming across each other during our walks in the morning... often visiting over our dog friends. I smile at how many neighbours I "know" because of their dogs!

Anyways, it got me thinking about how vital it is to feel that we are a part of a community... no matter what size. I feel blessed that I know who lives around me, their furry dogs that befriend me and feeling a sense of belonging.

Do you even know who lives beside you?

If not, why?

I urge you to mingle some... get to know their furry creatures... for there's nothing like feeling as though "I belong." You belong, too... but do you know it?

Warmly, Carolyn
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