Heather, thank you for this wonderful meditation on the need for community. For me, this community can also be something we carry with us the moment we step outside of our homes, in the smile we present to the world, in how we answer when asked a question, in how we listen, and how we choose to respond. I just wrote a piece on my own community in North-West London that grew around a small city park, offering the kind of communion found in spiritual and religious communities: https://munakhogali.substack.com/p/ode-to-the-grange
I recently started volunteering at a local queer arts collective (running their bookshop, specifically), and - while being chronically ill limits my offline activities somewhat - it's been really nice to belong to and contribute to a community space IRL.
How and where do I get involved in my community?... is what I found myself wondering, especially as I got to the end of this post.
I've been trying with the express how I feel about the world part, in my writing, a lot as it's fiction parody, because, I totally agree, the endless complaining (even by comedy TV hosts) sure isn't working. The loops of like minded digital hearts on social are not getting to "them" either, to cause change... hm...? ... still thinking about this. What "power" do I have other than my writing?
I don't know where you live so I can't say exactly what your options are, but if I take my own situation as an example: you can get involved in local politics (attending council meetings / joining the local faction of your preferred party), join a local migrant support group, help out at your local community garden, volunteer at a library (many have services supporting elderly and disabled services users), sign up for a food sharing scheme (something like The Food Train or Meal Makers), join your relevant union, join a tenants union (or support your local one if you are not a renter), get on board with a local campaign (for instance, for better public transport / bike lanes / childcare support in your area) .....
Ah the bike lanes, a group of us were talking about that a few weeks ago. Thanks, I doubt how I can participate when I get down by the constant barrage of .. you know (enough mental space/life energy “given/taken” by the “hate media” already). Sorry, Yes, action, local, one day at a time, small groups at the library. Gotta do more of that indeed. Thanks
thank you for the kick in the ass so many of us (me included) need 🫶
Heather, thank you for this wonderful meditation on the need for community. For me, this community can also be something we carry with us the moment we step outside of our homes, in the smile we present to the world, in how we answer when asked a question, in how we listen, and how we choose to respond. I just wrote a piece on my own community in North-West London that grew around a small city park, offering the kind of communion found in spiritual and religious communities: https://munakhogali.substack.com/p/ode-to-the-grange
What a lovely read - thank you for sharing!
Jumping up and down, clapping my hands at this.
I recently started volunteering at a local queer arts collective (running their bookshop, specifically), and - while being chronically ill limits my offline activities somewhat - it's been really nice to belong to and contribute to a community space IRL.
I love this!
💕love this Heather!
Here's to building a better world for us all, Jeda ❤️
Love this so much ❤️
❤️❤️❤️
Resonates with Ecu Temelkuran's work. Here a short interview:
https://thenew.institute/en/media/hope-and-faith
I have actually interviewed Ece before!
How and where do I get involved in my community?... is what I found myself wondering, especially as I got to the end of this post.
I've been trying with the express how I feel about the world part, in my writing, a lot as it's fiction parody, because, I totally agree, the endless complaining (even by comedy TV hosts) sure isn't working. The loops of like minded digital hearts on social are not getting to "them" either, to cause change... hm...? ... still thinking about this. What "power" do I have other than my writing?
I don't know where you live so I can't say exactly what your options are, but if I take my own situation as an example: you can get involved in local politics (attending council meetings / joining the local faction of your preferred party), join a local migrant support group, help out at your local community garden, volunteer at a library (many have services supporting elderly and disabled services users), sign up for a food sharing scheme (something like The Food Train or Meal Makers), join your relevant union, join a tenants union (or support your local one if you are not a renter), get on board with a local campaign (for instance, for better public transport / bike lanes / childcare support in your area) .....
Ah the bike lanes, a group of us were talking about that a few weeks ago. Thanks, I doubt how I can participate when I get down by the constant barrage of .. you know (enough mental space/life energy “given/taken” by the “hate media” already). Sorry, Yes, action, local, one day at a time, small groups at the library. Gotta do more of that indeed. Thanks