When we have a community to lean on, we not only have support for physical needs but, also emotional needs. Isolation only helps us dwell on the negative that is bothering us. Keeping us in our minds and not in the here and now. It would be like carrying our ruck sack and two duffle bags constantly without letting go of them. After a while they get heavy. What’s more, we have a sense of belonging, connected and a sense of being whole. Instead of a journey of solitude let’s have a journey of interaction with others.
Remember, your story deserves to be told and if your always by yourself how can you tell it. You matter, your experiences matter in addition to everything about you. Community provides validation, perspective, encouragement and resilience. As a young child I used to set around and listen to the adults speak when we went places visiting. Would think things like the makes sense. Maybe that will make sense when I am older. Resilience is like a buffer. It lessens the shock of difficult things. Perspective gives relevance. Being valid makes things more grounded. Isolation causes us to be disconnected. It lessons our quality of life.
Community to me is like ownership. Giving you a sense of joint accountability. It helps with healing both physically and mentally. Growth in knowledge and peace of mind. Last but not least it provides success in all areas, including our mental health.
