This past week as I completed 2 separate 5k runs (3.1 miles) in one week, I thought how I’d gotten to that point.
When Facebook showed me a group for slow runners, I decided to join. I had read the article earlier this year on why the person had named and formed the group, and it had motivated me to start incorporating more running, which quickly led to my first 5k within days of reading the article.
As I read comments shared: what sneakers to get? How to do x, y or z? I realized that there was benefit to being there. I promptly went out and bought a new pair of running sneakers as my current ones were hurting my feet and as I read – I finally realized it might not have been me, and that it had to do with my sneakers. As soon as I put my feet in the new sneakers, I realized the difference.
I’m also a part of other groups, some on social media and some in real life.
I’m in groups dedicated to my profession.
I’m in groups dedicated to being a mom.
I attend church, where like minded believers congregate.
I’m friends with those in my community and we satisfy different needs for each other. (My daughter reminded me of this one, as she knows how special it is to be able to share space and time with her friends, while I share space and time with the moms)
There is beauty in community.
I do have to acknowledge the other side of community though. We have to be careful that we take the beauty from it and not pick up everything else.
In both my running and financial advisor groups, it’s easy to start playing the comparison game. In my running group, I see plenty of comments about whose time is not actually slow and questions of why are they there and whether they belong or not. I just choose to move on because depending on how we look, we can get drawn into a game of comparison. I’ve shared this statement before – no one wins in the comparison game.
But this statement remains true: there is beauty in community.
I’m very grateful for my various communities who play different roles in my life. I don’t have to feel like I’m doing life alone.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of communities. Thank you that we don’t need to try to get everything from one place, except in You, but we can go to different groups that will provide what we need. And for those lacking in a sense of community, please provide what they need.