community

notes from video:

how we think about community is often branded eloquently or beautifully.

(read: braiding sweetgrass)

the three sisters: corn, beans, and squash- the gifts of each are more prominent when nurtured together, than alone. all gifts are multiplied in relationship.

we tend to rely on virtual community, rather than in person community

you build a sense of agency when you are in a community. when we are alone we ask “well, what can i do?” but when in a group we start mobilizing.

my thoughts:

This piece resonates because I frequently feel anxious about doing new events or being a part of a new community. But the speaker is right- there's no group or community where we get to bypass difficult conversations or uncomfortable moments. That comes from humans existing in a space together.

The piece around agency resonated as well. It makes sense that when we are in a community and we are making decisions, such as where to hand out the flyer or how to set up the chairs, we are exercising skills we would not have had if we were in “made for you” space. The benefit to agency is that it cultivates a sense of ability to accomplish things. Alone we feel powerless, together we make change.

The idea of spending ten minutes or a hour a week, cultivating and nurturing your village spoke to me. I appreciate an attainable action step. I am going to stew on when and how long, as well as what I want to do to become a better villager.