Living in Community

Thoughts about community have been on my mind of late. SHRM-Atlanta is actively pursuing ways to Build a Better Atlanta for Business and Careers. A terrific coach I know is feeling a strong call to community build. The "Great Recession" has caused most of to reflect about connections and community and the things that really matter.

A house guest recently shared a story about her grandfather. They lived in a small town, more of a crossroads really, near New Orleans. He was a farmer and it was the depression. He flooded a field and grew rice for his neighbors. No one went hungry in that little town. Those that came to harvest, in turn, helped someone else in ways that were needed.

My dad used to share that during those same hard times, he would often come home from school to find some "new neighbor" invited to dinner - someone passing by who had stopped by the church. My mother's family lived on "Main Street", near the railroad track. There was always something simmering on the stove top for those who came to the back door on their way someplace.

Community. Simply acts of kindness. Most of us have those stories in our families. We're fortunate that way. In this time in history, we're learning to form communities a bit differently and sometimes we don't quite know how. But we're learning. Because we know building community is some of the best work there is.

I am sure you have a community story to share. I'd love to hear it.