If you look up the definition of community on google you’ll find: “a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.”
This can be a pretty broad definition if you think about it. I often think of my community as the town or city that I live in. That definition can be much smaller however, such as our immediate family who lives in the same place as us. On the other hand we can stretch the definition to a very large scale if we look at people who share characteristics in common. Before we get into that though, let’s consider how important community really is for humans.
From an evolutionary perspective community is everything. Our very survival depends on whether or not our community can care for us. Infants for example are completely incapable of taking care of themselves. And mothers or caregivers spend a lot of their time and attention taking care of them and that leaves them with limited resources for food and protection. The community is what makes it possible for caregivers to take care of the little ones and everyone to thrive.
When we think of community in this context the idea of being separate or alone becomes a real threat to our existence. We need each other in order to thrive and continue as a species. In that way the need for community is almost an instinct. Being alone is a real fear and in our minds is perceived as a real threat.
Remember our earlier definition of a community as people who share a characteristic with us? Maybe in the past that has meant I have a community of moms, or a community of therapists. But I would never consdier everyone I know as a part of my community. Enter COVID-19. We are having a communal traumatic experience. By definition that means anyone who is experiencing this crisis with me becomes a part of my community. We need to look out for each other, take care of each other and most importantly draw strength and hope from each other.
My hero Brene Brown put this perfectly:
“This pandemic experience is a massive experiment in collective vulnerability. We can be our worst selves when we’re afraid, or our very best, bravest selves. In the context of fear and vulnerability there is often very little in between because when we are uncertain and afraid our default is self-protection. We don’t have to be scary when we’re scared. Let’s choose awkward, brave and kind. And let’s choose each other.”
Brene Brown
Unlocking Us podcast episode #1
We were never meant to go this alone. Not when the threat was starvation or lions and not when the threat is a virus that many of us don’t really comprehend. We were always meant to find and create a space where we can support and help each other. Our…
