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November 2009 
What role does community play in your life?
Posted on Nov 7th, 2009
by 
Laurie
Laurie
This is in Response to the Questions and Reflections for November 07, 2009:
In the Gaia Community I interact with people who are environmentally and spiritually conscious -- we share and/or respect each other's beliefs and intents.
Because of my profession, in my local community I interact with people who share similar ideas about the approach to health and wellness.
Just last evening we attended a benefit for the TibetCenter in Evanston, Illinois where Joan Borysenko, PhD spoke. Even though we didn't know very many people, that, too, was a community of like minded/hearted people.
Community is local. Community is global. Community is in-person. Community is on-line. Community is reaching out to another human being.
The photograph is of the corner of Brink/William Streets in historic downtown Crystal Lake where I live. It's common for people to say, "Let's meet at the clocktower."
Because of my profession, in my local community I interact with people who share similar ideas about the approach to health and wellness.
Just last evening we attended a benefit for the TibetCenter in Evanston, Illinois where Joan Borysenko, PhD spoke. Even though we didn't know very many people, that, too, was a community of like minded/hearted people.
Community is local. Community is global. Community is in-person. Community is on-line. Community is reaching out to another human being.
The photograph is of the corner of Brink/William Streets in historic downtown Crystal Lake where I live. It's common for people to say, "Let's meet at the clocktower."
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Lovely post! We are in fact a Global village and as that awareness grows and becomes more a part of our everyday lives, the closer we come to caring for the well-being of all the inhabitants. Not just the 2-legged types but the many-legged and no-legged as well. When we can treat our neighbor as we treat ourselves, with love and respect, whether he be next door, across the country or across the Ocean, our chances of healing, reconciliation, and new growth will be multiplied beyond our dreams.
So, how did you enjoy your night out? Did you bring home anything from the auction? I don't know what would be the common fare at a Buddhist Temple, although I'm sure it was vegetarian. I'm sure the speaker had much to deliver and that it was well received. Bottom line, did you have fun!?
Sandi - You are absolutely correct in that we are ALL connected – regardless of the number of legs, wings fins and gills. And when we take care of the wellbeing of others, we are in fact, taking care of our own wellness.
The event was lovely. Joan Borysenko PhD has a beautiful heart that was evident in now only what she had to say, but in how she presented it. The event was catered so there was meat – mostly vegetables. The items in the silent auction didn't speak to me, but there was a moonstone ring that really caught my attention over in the 'purchase' area. But even on my largest finger it was waaaaaay too big. Two of our in-person AND Gaia friends were there as well – Barbara Redcay and Paula Moses.
The strongest bond of human sympathy outside the family relation should be one uniting working people of all nations and tongues and kindreds.
Abraham Lincoln
I had the good fortune to be at a Joan Borysenko workshop once. She is very special. I like the part about our global community. Too often we get blinders on our eyes and think only about our immediate presence and forget the impact of the butterfly's wings. Even the words of the dead reach across that state of being and can create transformation.
Thank you.. Let's always meet at our inner clockwer!!
LOVE AND PEACE..
Thank you.. Let us always meet at our inner clocktower..
LOVE AND PEACE..
Wish I were meeting you there for lunch.
Bhatta - That is a wonderful quote; thank you for sharing it.
Barbara - “… and forget the impact of the butterfly's wings.” The way you said that is just lovely.
Wael - Yes, let's do. I've actually just finished writing an article where I talk about our inner compass. But I like your idea of all of us meeting at the intersection of our inner clocktowers.
Jeannie - Me too, you! The restaurant that is right behind the clocktower (right on the corner) is Benedict's La Strada and it's delicious!
Laurie, I was most touched by your comment that “community is reaching out to another human being.” This is the essence of community for me - like if we could put it into one of those flower essences and breathe it in we would all know what it was and experience its healing effects. It is something I have witnessed you do consistently with care and compassion for our humanness. Thank you for being you and all that you do:)
Terrill - Thank you in return for gifting us with your photography and the finely chosen words you weave around the pictures. Your blog today is a perfect example of the gifts you share freely in the Gaia Community.
Hey, Laurie, I've just gotten home in time to catch a call from Faith in Iowa. She tells me they have been enjoying 70 degree weather up there, I hope Y'all have too. We have and it's been just wonderful. I've had a good, long day at work, and then out for supper and now I'm acting like a bobble-head doll. Not quite that active though. Have a good night and I'll catch up with you in morning.
Sandi - Oh how fun! I hope Faith had lots of great news to share. Yes – we enjoyed some of her same Indian Summer weather today. I believe it's supposed to be on tap all weekend. I am attending a baby shower brunch tomorrow (Sunday) and looking forward to it. It's one of the babies that I've had the privilege of working with since conception. She is due just before Christmas. Have a good night's sleep and we'll catch up in the morning.
Laurie, thank you for the cross link - you are just amazing at giving back to others… And you are hard to keep up with, so… I think I will just tweet your post:)
I did not know there was a Tibet Center in Evanston! I spent some very memorable times in Evanston in my younger years. My parents lived and worked there early in their marriage before I came along.
I find this very encouraging attention and discussion for the Chicagoland community. I see more and more examples of this work there. I am so glad as there was a time when it was not so prevalent.
I take heart in this.
Thank you for sharing this news.
z
Zennie - I'm so glad that you visited today – thank you. Here is a LINK to the TIBETcenter in Evanston – check out all of the links.