Photo courtesy of Amsterdamned

If you’ve read through a few of my posts you have probably heard me talk about community and my desire to build a strong one here at “MotivateThyself”.  This desire stems from the many positive experiences I’ve had in the past, online and off, with community interaction.  So in light of this, I would like to present you with a list of reasons that I feel community is key to our success and well being.

1: We need to be needed.

There’s often times nothing more satisfying than filling the need of another human being.  Knowing that it is because of something we did, something we provided, that another person is better off, gives us a great sense of purpose and satisfaction.  And it is being involved in a community that gives you many of these great opportunities.

2: Social interaction forces you to focus outward.

I use the tern ’stuck in my head’ a lot.  You know what I mean, when you just feel that you are overfocused or over analyzing things and just can’t seem to get out of your head.  Spending time outside in the community and interacting with others involved is a great remedy for such a situation.  Many times all it takes is 5 minutes in a conversation with another person to break you out of this mindset.

3: We can’t always do it ourselves.

When my dad passed away over 4 years ago from skin cancer, my mom was left with a lot on her plate.  Thankfully, her and my father have both been strong members of their local community.  From those at their church to the business acquaintances around them, they were swarmed with love and a helping hand.  I can remember walking in one morning and seeing my dad’s golfing buddy feeding him his breakfast.  By then my dad had lost the use of his arms and so his friend would help him eat and even go to the bathroom.  I remember being so moved because I thought to myself, “It’s one thing to play golf together, but it’s a whole other level of friendship to do this.”

The day my dad past, we all got together at my parents house to support my mom.  They had a long, steep, gravel driveway that had been eroding from rain water and lack of upkeep (one of many things that were neglected while my mom tried to take care of my dad).  People were having trouble come down the driveway.  So out of the blue, one of my dads friends made a phone call to one of his friends who had connections to a construction company.  Long story short; within one hour there was a professional construction crew laying fresh gravel on my parents driveway.  This, to me, was a perfect example of a community at work.

4: They need to be needed.

‘They’ are human beings too and desire to serve and provide for others.  So by participating in community you are giving others the opportunity to satisfy this need and enjoy watching the fruits of their labor.  As much as my fathers friends gave comfort to our family, I could also tell that they too were being comforted.  By serving us they were satisfying their need to be needed.

5: Relationships bring forth opportunity.

Whether in business or pleasure, the more people you interact with, the greater the opportunities you will find.  Just like my dad’s friend new a friend who new a friend who could help, so too can you benefit from involving yourself in the web of connections that a community provides.

6: No one likes to be lonely.

I’m always amazed at the fact that for many people out there, the 21st century is their loneliest time.  You would think that with all the communication capabilities we have today, this would cease to be an issue.  But the unfortunate fact is that many people still find ways to cut themselves off from society.  So it is even more crucial that we take advantage of the great opportunities for community engagement and enjoy not a single lonely moment.

7: Makes your alone time more enjoyable.

Just like the fact that spending time with others in a community can help prevent loneliness, so too can it enhance your time alone.  I find that my most enjoyable ‘down times’ (times when I just want be alone, watch TV, work on a hobby/project) occur right after I’ve spent a lot of time with others.  Basically, community helps you get your fill for socialization so you can more deeply appreciate and enjoy your time with yourself.

8: Fresh perspectives.

One great aspect of community involvement are the many fresh perspectives available to you.  Whether you need different personalities to bounce your ideas off of or someone new to give you some encouragement, a healthy community provides a wealth of knowledge and a variety of mindsets, all at your disposal.

9: Forces you out of your comfort zone.

One of the reasons why so many people don’t participate in a community is because they feel uncomfortable in social situations.  This has always been of my biggest struggles.  But I have always been better off when I make myself get out there and meet and interact with others.  A community provides you with many opportunities to do things you never thought you would.  Different people have different interests and the more people you meet, the greater the chance of doing something new and exciting.  And pushing the limits of our comfort zones broadens our horizons and gives us more confidence that we can accomplish the goals we have set before us.

10: It’s fun!

One of the most appealing reasons for me to be a part of communities is the fact that it can really be a lot of fun.  From blogging to having cookouts with the neighbors, community involvement can be a blast.  You get to build personal relationships as you give and receive support and encouragement.  So I encourage you to get involved with a community, if for no other reason than to have a great time!

“There can be no vulnerability without risk; there can be no community without vulnerability; there can be no peace, and ultimately no life, without community.”  M. Scott Peck