The idea of community building is a growing interest of mine. I believe many of us sustainability bloggers are beginning to write and read about this. I suppose the reason for that is very simple. Once you become aware of your impact on the planet’s health, your health, and your children’s futures, you take steps to create a sustainable lifestyle for yourself and your family. And after a year or a few of doing this, of learning ways of living simply, frugally, and sustainably, you begin to realize that you’re happier. And healthier. And you feel good.
And then the realization hits. You’re pretty nearly alone, others around you are not living this same lifestyle. And wait, if others aren’t doing it, how is the planet going to be saved? How are we going to fight climate change, and save that finite amount of oil left on the planet, and live in communities that can adapt to changing economies and weather patterns and … and … and … sigh.
Maybe what we’re doing is not enough. It’s good, but we have to shout out to others to come along with us. We have help them also feel happier and healthier plus save the planet, our children, and our communities in the process. We can’t do it alone!
How do we do that?
Good question. I think we start by living locally, and becoming an active part of our communities. And we can work on our family and friends, carefully raising their awareness about issues we care about, showing them how we live our lives and how happy we are.
The blog world here is a great community. We all push one another to do more, go further, learn and grow. And we share resources and even meet with one another in the real world, too. So we learn here, we are pushed here, and then we go out into our neighborhoods and do what we write about!
Each person we affect will affect others, so it multiplies. Slowly but surely, we will change the world. It’s an over-used quote, but one I’m very fond of:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” -Margaret Mead
This is a topic I plan to explore a lot more in the coming months. I appreciate any input you have along the way!
This Discussion Continues!
Please continue to read about building community with the following articles:
- How Do You Participate In Your Community?
- How Do We Build Our Communities?
- What Can We Do To Rebuild Our World?
- One Connection Leads To Another: How to Start Work on Building Your Community
- How to Create Change In Your Community: Finding or Forming A Local Group
- Building A Local Food Supply: An Inspiring Success Story
- We Can’t Do This Alone
- Combatting Poverty (And Other Important Issues) With Community and Compassion
- Voluntary Simplicity + Building Community = Saving Our Children
- How Do We Fix Our Schools?
- Why Buy From Mom And Pop?
- The Importance of Living Locally
- 10 Community Gardening & Local Food Activities To Excite And Inspire
- How Do You Get People To Change Their Lifestyles?
- Community Building: I Often Fear It, But Never Regret It
More Resources.
Here are a few links to get you started thinking about these ideas.
- The Community is the Solution
- The Relocalization Network
- Transition Culture
- Low Carbon Communities Network
- Australian City Farms & Community Gardens Network
A Film to Watch.
And a few books I’ve read, with more on the way from my local library.
- Deep Economy
- Fight Global Warming Now: the Handbook for Taking Action in Your Community
- Fostering Sustainable Behavior
- Small Is Possible: Life In A Local Economy
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Melinda, this is a great launching off point I believe. Last year I read No Impact Man and had an epiphany. After searching out like websites I became more galvanized in my desire to live a sustainable life. I started my own blog in January to challenge myself to a low impact life. Since then all of these internet sites like yours (a complete favorite) have helped me amplify my own sense of purpose.
I have made small steps towards community when I saw it was imperative to move beyond myself and out of the alienated lifestyle that is the norm in this culture. (Keep the sheeple self absorbed, distracted and / or afraid and you can have total control.)
But, on June 15 this year I found the links to Transition Towns and the work of Rob Hopkins. I would love to be a part of a US version of the Transition Towns. I see you have these links above and that thrills me.
I struggle with community and generally moving outside myself. I have become involved in local community issues and council meetings. I have spoken at several and have met with a city council member and another woman who is running to unseat our wrong-in-all-ways mayor.
And, I put out a community newsletter every two weeks for my mobile home park. Of the 49 households I know that everyone reads it and most really enjoy it. For me it is like whistling in the dark, making like all is well to convince myself. I write about our ‘community’ as though we have one. We don’t – we all have the same address and the same guy owns the land where all of our home sit. But, by sheer will and a positive push I keep painting things, planting things and writing about sustainable themes.
This is my approach . . . growing soil this year and growing community root system . . . creating the ‘branding’ or colorful identity and the infrastructure for when the seeds can finally take hold. I need the support from this virtual community to keep on keeping on. And, I’ve run on a bit long. Thanks for the nudge.
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