I’ve written about community before here. But today I am writing to you – the community member.
Do you have any idea how important you are to others?
They need you.
And you need them.
I believe YOU have a mission and are equipped with the exact right talents, education, experience and passion YOU need to accomplish it.
I believe that every person/skill YOU need is right there sitting around the table with you and together you can change the world.
I believe YOU owe it to the world to courageously step out and do your part because that thing…
that thing you are passionate about…
that dream for a better way that sets your heart on fire…
makes you the community member your community needs.
~
Perhaps You have invested in your education.
You have an impressive degree and are eager to share your knowledge. You understand systemic issues and are able to paint a picture of a better future. You are strategic and have learned a new global way of thinking.
I respect what you’ve achieved.
Your community needs you to use your knowledge and your life experiences for the good of all – to apply it in helpful and practical ways.
A word of caution:
The highest result of education should be tolerance and inclusion.
~
Perhaps You graduated from high school and began to work immediately to support yourself . Maybe you started a family right away. You have sacrificed much to get ahead and provide for your family. You have worked hard and long hours to get where you are today.
You don’t have many luxuries in life but what you have is worth more than possessions – you are creating a better future for the next generation. I am in awe of your determination and commitment.
Your community needs you to use your knowledge and what you’ve learned for the good of all – to apply it in helpful and practical ways.
A word of caution:
Do not let your hard work ethic and your pride prevent you from recognizing the value of others who have different backgrounds and ideas.
~
Perhaps You struggled with school or just plain had no access. You did what you had to do to survive. You are unbelievably resourceful. You know how to stretch a dollar. You have what it takes to create your own break.
The highest percentage of entrepreneurs come from your ranks. You dream of a better future – and you know exactly what it looks like. I am inspired by you.
Your community needs you to use your knowledge and what you’ve learned for the good of all – to apply it in helpful and practical ways.
A word of caution:
Do not resign yourself into believing that you have nothing to offer. Summon your courage and speak your views. Champion those who aren’t yet ready to do so for themselves.
~
A word of encouragement:
It doesn’t matter who you are
It doesn’t matter what your background is or where you come from
or which category, or anywhere in between them you are.
Get up and sit at the table because your community needs you to use what you know for the good of all – in helpful and practical ways.
Post Script: On my best days, when I’m at the top of my game, I truly believe this to be true.
Just like anyone else though, I have my doubts sometimes – like recently – and I feel like an imposter who could be exposed as a fraud at any moment.
Although this post is addressed to you, it also serves to remind me of the significance of community and more importantly – the value and necessity of each member – you and yes, even me.
What is your passion?
What sets your heart on fire?
What are you doing about it?
talktodiana 
I like this a lot. I am a creative director in my real life and I have always tried to manage people according to what seems to motivate them individually. Some need structure and formality to feel accomplished, some need freedom to structure themselves. It’s counterintuitive, but it works for us. I know that I can count on different perspectives from each person and that makes for a better overall result.
Thanks for posting this – it’s crunch time and I sometimes need to be reminded see everyone’s unique potential.
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a creative director? Why doesn’t that surprise me? Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. It’s always good to hear from you. 🙂
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Great post and, as usual, gets me thinking. There are many ways one can and does contribute to the (local) community. Three obvious ones stand out. Firstly, local businesses contribute just by being there, albeit some contribute more by donations of time, expertise, intellect (ideas) or finances back into the community in many sorts of ways. Secondly, community groups which encompass a range of avenues from sporting clubs, service organizations, churches, interest groups, schools. Thirdly, charities and volunteer organizations – for whatever cause being health, environment or social issues etc. However, there is a fourth one, so often forgotten, that can and should be done by anyone, by all of us – stay in and support the community. It is true that whole communities have died due to lack of support. This is mainly true because of the springing up of the big-box retail outlets and supermarkts where people began traveling to larger centers rather than use their local shops – think 1970s to current day, but it is also true of service providers (banks, professionals) and food outlets. After time in the local community banks, shops, community groups close due to lack of support and the area loses its networks and it’s appeal and it’s support base. In some instances to keep a community thriving it means to support the small local retailer / service provider / food outlet over the large national corporation because the local owner will put money and life back into the community rather than take it away. The local business owner will have families to send to school and will require medical care in your neighborhood, whereas the big retailer / service provider / food outlet does not. These days, it goes one step further because we dont even have to travel to the competition. We are facing the fact that retail / manufacturing industries from other countries and online retail / services are killing our local providers. With it will go the local communities and their support and their spirit. So if we want to keep our communities alive and intact and thriving we all have a duty of care to shop locally, buy locally produced goods, use local services, get out into the community and socialise in the locally owned restaurants and cafes, contribute and participate to and in the local community groups and charities. You will find you get back as much if not more than you receive.
Sorry for the long post, probably enough for a post of my own! 🙂
As I said Diana, you got me thinking.
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Yes you are quite the thinker! There’s also the type of community where you just look out for your neighbour…pot lucks…joint yardsales, etc…
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Beautiful.
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Why, thank you very much mrs fringe!
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Wonderful,wonderful thoughts here..
“The highest result of education should be tolerance and inclusion.” – absolutely
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Thank you for stopping by and I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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Love this…what a great list of diverse perspectives and backgrounds showing our commonalities. You inspire me, my dear!!!
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The feeling is SO mutual! Thank you, as always, for stopping by, reading and leaving your thoughts for me. ❤
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🙂 anytime!!!
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Oh Diana! I love everything about this post. Thank you so much for the inspiration and for shining your light!
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Thank you so much Andrea! This means so much to me. I’m glad you were inspired. I have goosebumps!
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😀
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“and I feel like an imposter who could be exposed as a fraud at any moment.” The cool thing is that if you out yourself by showing the real you to the world, a shining example of how to be authentic, then risk of exposure as a fraud goes to zero. How can something be a fraud if it’s real?
The fraudulent act would be to cover your shining spirit as you go out into the world. That would be a crime against yourself and the rest of humanity.
I got a two-fer this time as one of my favorite bloggers re-blogged a post from another of my favorite bloggers. Twice the pleasure! Twice the fun!
I enjoyed this post. Thank you for creating and sharing it.
Russ
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Russ, thank you for your kind encouragement. I’m humbled and blown away and blessed out of my socks!
Peace to you, Diana
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Volunteering allows us to put others happiness before our own. The unexpected part is that you will experience it too, in a way that putting your own happiness first, will never come close to.
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That is so true. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts Keith.
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Reblogged this on MINDFUL DIARY and commented:
Simply life changing post…
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Wow, Diana, what a passionate post! Strongly inspiring as well. You are so right, everyone can contribute, no matter the education/experiences, if only we would dare to be ourselves. Stand up. I’ve joined as a volunteer(will come out of my closet soon..haha) for exaclty those reasons you mention in your post. When I think of you and your blog, I picture word community and all it means, comes with. Never doubt, your post about community being so passionate, I believe you have and will help so many with your admirable passion. You obviously have knowledge and experience. Would love more posts like this?!
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Thank you so much for your encouragement and kind words. Thank you for reblogging this post!
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Loved this post, Diana and like you, I believe like this as well. We all have something to offer. You never know when someone can stumble across something you write and it affects them deeply, gives them an impetus to begin something they’ve been wanting to do.
Your post certainly inspired me. Thank you, friend.
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Thank you Brigitte – glad to hear it!
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Diana — you are such an inspiration and a light in the world that needs to shine brighter and brighter!
This piece is fabulous! And a wonderful reminder to each of us to shine and sparkle and be bright.
Hugs
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Thanks so much Louise!
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no man is an island… from a different perspective…
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Thanks for the perspective and the link. I sure like getting to know people like you on here. 🙂
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Same here, my usual test for the difference between a friend and an acquaintance is have you shared dinner and visited their house. But I would name you friend.
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Same here and perhaps you never having eaten my cooking better supports friendship! 🙂
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laughing…
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yeah me too!
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This is fantastic, Diana. Once I figure out my finances, I want so much to volunteer!
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Good for you Julie! Maybe first you could write a book called “How to figure out your finances.” hehehe
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If only!
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It could happen!
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