When I did my last post about hope, I wrote down the word community as if it were to be my next topic. I wrote it down as I recognized a problem with it. Where was it? My or our sense of community. I thought about it for a few days and then I looked up the meaning of the word. Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary defines it as “a unified body of individuals, society at large, joint ownership or participation”. I realized the part of the problem with community I recognized was with my participation in it, or sometimes lack there of.
Do not get me wrong, I, like you, do have neighbors I truly enjoy and help as often as possible, and when or if they need help. I have local businesses I like to frequent to help the community financially. I have friends I like to spend time with, not only for their companionship, but for the many things I learn from them everyday. The problem is, when the not so good things show their ugly heads, like crime, drug addiction, drug sales, government corruption, etc. where am I? and am I part of the problem in their taking over of society? or will I be part of the solution?
I have recognized one thing, fear does not lead me to the light or the positive. It only leads and leaves me alone, in the dark, or to a place where I am numbing myself from life. It has kept me from approaching others, from feeling confident in myself, from feeling like I fit in, from knowing my worth, and more. I am sure we will find in our journey for solutions to problems that fear is somewhere in the mix, if not the cause. I am also learning that it is truly a powerful thing and has to constantly be kicked back or knocked down. When it is, and when I can really look at problems in the light, then I can begin to find the why? and come up with some how to fixes.
As I journey closer to the light and try to completely come from a place of love, the questions become much clearer? What makes someone commit a crime? Rob a store, car, or home? Rape someone? Murder someone? Are they mentally impaired? Are they evil? What makes someone want to and do numb themselves from living? Or even existing? What makes someone want to keep someone else numb? Are laws hurting more than they are helping? Are everyone who breaks these laws being held to the same standard? If the law makers, protectors, and enforcers are breaking the law should they not also be held accountable? If the lawmakers, protectors, and enforcers are not following the law, why should anyone else? In our smaller communities, shouldn’t we want to fix all these things? if we can, why don’t we?
None of this is going to be fixed overnight, or even tomorrow. It will take some time and probably be pretty painful. It will never be fixed with resistance, anger, or hate in my opinion. Those will only further divide and add more chaos. I hope I am not alone, when I say, I am tired of hearing that it is too late and we are too far gone. As long as love exists I will refuse to give up. So I will begin to engage more, and begin to listen and understand the whys in my community. I will continue to be a part of trying to heal the ills. And I will do it in the way Ephesians 4:3 tells me to “make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace”. I hope you will do the same.
For when I think of the word community, my thoughts flow to the entire purpose of our existence. Are we not alive to share our lives with each other? To share each moment of our love, our joy, our fun, our laughter, as well as, our pain, our sadness, and our grief? I’m learning that is why I am here. How about you?
Another all around incredible post. One I am happy to respond to. Whenever my friends or other acquaintances ask me, or whenever I see a public media post asking if I could choose to eradicate “ONE” thing from earthly existence “what would it be” my answer has always been undeniably the same. It is far from anything materialistic or tangible. My response has always been to eradicate “FEAR”. It is something we have all experienced and for most a major block. When I speak of blockages or blocks it is anything tangible or not that impedes us from forward progress. I want you to give my following statement thought and plausible notion. When we succumb to fear (even in the briefest moments) it is in this state that we allow our minds to be manipulated and controlled by the thought processes of others. It can be as simple as taking action based on the opinion of a friend, relative, sibling, spouse or mass frenzy caused by social media. Our own personal opinions and desires become clouded and muted in moments of fear. We want to follow instead of lead with our own heart filled desires. There is no place for fear in this existence. Stepping into our own truths and coming from a place of love and passion….now that’s the ticket…Lol! Laura certainly has stepped into her own truth with creating this blog and I am proud of her for doing so. She always leaves us looking in a mirror. A moment of going inward and reflecting. An opportunity to create small changes in our own life. Each small change desirable or not effects our future. A simple positive change will create just that…Positivity!