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The gathering of shared ideas, supporting others of the same beliefs, residing in the same locale, families, and friends, and sharing mutual goals are just a few examples of how a community can be structured or formed. What is community within your own identity? What communities do you consider to play an essential role in your own life? Are you more active within some communities? These are crucial questions that we should evaluate from time to time. As we evolve throughout our life’s journey, we change, we grow, we learn, we experience new situations, and our thoughts and beliefs tend to meld and transition in different directions.
The communities that were part of my journey when I was 5, 15, 25, and even older are no longer a part of my experience. Some community involvements dissolve naturally as we move from one life stage to another, such as a mommy and toddler reading group that would no longer be prevalent once your toddler is a teenager. However, some involvements will last a lifetime. Shouldn’t we take stock occasionally as our lives wind around the ever-changing pathways and assess whether our communities are still relevant and a progressive force in our daily lives? Are we still in alignment with the same thoughts and beliefs, or are we still involved from a reference point of habit and familiarity? Should we still BE part of our current community involvements, or should we not BE? Do birds of a feather really flock together, as the adage refers to?
Typically, this is true, but is space available for flexibility and expansion? It depends on the community itself. The birds of a feather are like minds, like thoughts, like actions, and ideas typically. These are also aligned frequencies - energies that are on the same wavelength. These are imperative for communities working to make humanitarian changes in the world. These are vital to communities striving to better worldly situations, from improving the planet to making healthcare affordable and accessible. “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
Our communities for change, for service work, of families, of friends and neighbors, and social groups for support are powerful entities within themselves. They offer strength, guidance, support, and more that help people move through life and make necessary changes within the very systems that our lives revolve around. What about exclusivity within communities, though? What about flexibility and expansion? Is there a tipping point that can render a community dangerous, or are some communities dangerous from the beginning of their formation?
Many social communities have boundaries of exclusion within reason. You wouldn’t come to a knitting community to learn how to shoot a bow and arrow. Is it sometimes necessary for communities to be exclusive, but when does a community transition over to more of a cult or terrorist mindset? Ouch, I didn’t see that coming, did you? But is it true? Can exclusivity lead to harmful and dangerous situations for those within and outside the community? These are typically more on the side of spiritual and religious communities. Those places and spaces that are supposed to be “good.” I understand that many spiritual and religious spaces are amazing. They welcome people to their space and truly live a life of service centered within their hearts. I also understand and have witnessed people and places that will cast you out in 2 seconds if you do not conform to their belief system.
We see communities around the globe and at home who adhere to spiritual practices that believe anyone outside their belief system should not exist. These communities of like-minded people have joined together to make the world more like them in whatever way they feel is necessary, which often spirals into destruction and violence. How can we grow and learn if we exclude people who are different from our spaces and limit the areas we experience that differ from our views? Suppose we set such rigid boundaries upon ourselves that we can’t explore other ideas, thoughts, or beliefs. How far will it be for us to become exclusive and descend into dangerous control? Just how far is that trip?
Now, we aren’t going to change the knitting community to knitting with crossbows. But there are so many ways and places we can reach across with open-minded curiosity—exploring something outside of what we currently know and believe with honesty and love. I didn’t think I liked pistachios until I finally tried them. There are many ways to exclude others, including but not limited to Gender/Race/Culture/Wealth/Social standing/Appearance/Intelligence/Education, And the list goes on and on. Some people never wander outside of what they currently know. “Some people think they are in community but are only in proximity. True community requires commitment and openness. It is a willingness to extend yourself to encounter and know the other.” - DAVID SPANGLER
I want to challenge you to take a look from your whole mind, body, and spirit at your current communities. How many do you still align with and have truly like-minded connections? How many fade to the point of non-connection and exist only with habitual obligations? Can we tune into other frequencies and expand our knowledge, understanding, and compassion?
We are birds of a feather in many aspects that create powerful change and progressive movement. However, it is also essential to visit other communities to grow and learn while we experience life to the absolute fullest. Please wander around because so much is offered to enrich your very existence. Your life is your flow and always your choice. You are a badass being of frequency, and don’t let anyone tell you different. You can connect with me on social media almost anywhere at The Positive e Power of You.
M. LaRae
You can get more information on any of my social pages FB, IN, TT @thepositivepowerofyou and my website www.thepositivepowerofyou.com
M. LaRae M.Sc. Metaphysician and Reiki Master
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