STRONGER TOGETHER

When I think of all of the things that are affecting our health and well-being, there is one pandemic that we can actually do something to ease. LONELINESS! When there are 8 billion people living on this planet, why are there so many who are feeling less valued, lonely, and more isolated?

One important way that I’ve found to help is in being part of, or creating, community, where we can show up for each other in ways that can offer support, appreciation, and companionship, and that remind us that we’re not alone. Sometimes we just need to know that someone cares.

I’d like to share just a few examples of how being a part of community has touched my life. Just residing in a condo complex doesn’t guarantee an instant community of friends. I had been living in a Sarasota condo for 15 years, and while I had made some friends, it wasn’t until Covid, that two women, Jeanne and Judi, seeing a need for community, created “6×6”. For almost three years, a group of at least 8 to 12 of us have met in a circle outside, 6’ apart, once a week to share conversations. It was touching to hear from newer neighbors Sherry and Misha, just what this community has meant to them. Sherry shared that although they had been living at the condo for just a few months, she had experienced one of the biggest challenges and hardest years of her life when her husband had cancer, followed by surgeries, making it difficult for him to even walk. Several neighbors showed up to be a support, making meals, visiting in the hospital, phone calls… Sherry said: ”In our lives, I have never experienced anything like this and don’t know what I would have done if I had been living in a home alone. I am so grateful for the love and support that we both received. It has made all the difference in the world to us.”

While communities come in all shapes, sizes, circumstances and with different needs, they offer unique ways to feel seen and supported. Even the houseless have their own tent communities, living in the woods, with their own set of values. I recently learned of this incident: A woman was mugged as she was carrying groceries home in her neighborhood. The mugger was known to a homeless community nearby and was confronted: “We are not a threat to the community, but you are causing us to be viewed that way. So turn yourself in or we will.” And the man did.

I have always loved being a part of a community of women. Jo Mooy and Patricia Cockerill started a meditation circle in 2006 with 8 women that has expanded to 350 in this 16^th year. Through monthly newsletters, a prayer team, and gatherings with inspiring speakers, it offers a great comfort and support to all who participate, as they help to raise the consciousness of our world community.

Sometimes we form communities to share our gifts and encourage and celebrate each other’s creative talents. Over the years, I have been part of a wonderful women’s group of writers. In fact, we recently gathered to celebrate Jane’s birthday, who has generously been hosting these meeting for a few years. It was a fun, loving, heart-warming experience.

And a caring yoga community, led by Mary Boutieller, has been inspirational in the ways that we encourage the health and well-being of each other, as well as help to financially support local and overseas communities through donations and fund raisers. I am honored to be a part.

None of us need to feel alone. How can we LIVE LIFE in a more loving and inclusive way that helps each of us to feel that we belong, that we matter? TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER – and HAPPIER.

Each day is an opportunity to open our hearts and minds, to bring hope that together we can make this world a better, kinder place for others and for ourselves.

Wishing you, your families, and friends, a happy, healthy, and hopeful new year.