I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the current community that I live in.
There is the local community in my neighbourhood that I live in which includes the schools that my children attend. There is the work community which forms part of my paid employment. Then, there is the social community which helps individuals with abilities that do not have the average range of abilities of other individuals. I think all these communities form the city wide community which I live in. Taking it one step further, there is the community created by our governments, at the city/municipal, provincial and country level.
Taking it further, there is the world community which then speaks to rights of individuals which is facilitated by the United Nations (UN).
I’ve been struggling with what can I do for my community? I’ve been accused of displaying the victim syndrome when I complain about being stretched out to help the community. Yes, it’s abit of a twisted accusation. In any case, it gave me pause to ponder why do I do these things for my community? Is it to get recognition, to further fuel the poor me victim syndrome (which I truly think is very wrong on many many levels) or really simply, I just want to give back because I know I can help build a compassionate community with the qualities of loving kindness. Is that so wrong I ask?
Well I know it’s only because I just had a board meeting tonight at a local non profit organization that works with families with adults and children to offer respite to the families. It was extremely refreshing to meet V, a potential new board member. She exuded such positiveness and well she liked me so what’s not to like about her? Kidding aside, it made me feel good that we’ve got more new people to generate more ideas to help with fundraising.
Well that’s what community means to me. It’s taking one individual at a time to show them compassion and kindness no matter the circumstances or behaviour towards you. Not everyone will just be like you. What a one sided montonous community that would be! Variety is the spice of life.
If you had any doubts about volunteering your time to help a non profit organization, I would squish em for you. Some of my conservative, bean counter colleagues would never dream of serving on a board of directors. Why? Liablitiy so the cite to me. I say pffftttt to the potentiality of liability. Just think, if everyone thought like that, we would have no organizations to help build a compassionate community.
My children will abhor (well maybe not that strong of a dislike) the fact that I’ve decided to volunteer my time away from them. I think they will survive while mommy tries to save the world one individual at a time 
