Most people rely on community for the necessities of life. This includes food, shelter and medical care. Community members often have access to more resources than non-community members, such as job opportunities.
We tend to think of communities in terms of a specific social group, but community also encompasses the ideas and principles that make up a society. Here are some reasons why community is important:
1. It Gives Courage
Whether you need help with an important project or just need someone to listen, community is the place to go. It gives people the courage to step out and face new challenges. It also helps them to connect with the transcendent, which inspires hope. Community can also be a safe space for vulnerable people, like single mothers or elderly people, to find support and encouragement.
People are drawn to community because of their shared interests, values, and needs. They also have the sense that they can influence each other as members of a group. This collective power can make a difference in society, such as through protests and organizing events. For example, a community can encourage its members to recycle, raise awareness about a disease or campaign for social change.
Communities can be based on many things, including geographic location, culture, heritage, government, religion, work, and other common interests. They can even be online groups of people who share similar beliefs, goals, and experiences. Some examples include a sports team, a book club, or an online forum. These communities are not necessarily cohesive, and some may even be contradictory. This is why it is important to find a definition of community that can account for all types.
The benefits of community are clear: it increases happiness and well-being, protects against stress, reduces risk factors for chronic diseases, and improves survival chances. It is the reason why so many people are drawn to volunteerism and why a sense of belonging is so important for children.
However, it is also important to note that the power of a community can have negative effects as well. Research shows that strained or conflicted relationships have negative health outcomes, such as higher blood pressure and inflammation, increased suicide and death rates, and more. This is why it is vital to build strong communities and make sure that everyone feels supported and cared for.
2. It Gives Hope
The word “community” is used so often that it has reached buzzword status, and it’s easy to lose sight of the importance of developing true communities that add purpose and joy to people’s lives. For a community to be important, it must create a sense of connection and belonging among the members, as well as a shared identity, common ground, and a commitment to the greater good.
Ultimately, community is about hope. A strong community is both open to the possibility of a better future and committed to taking the steps necessary to realize that potential. It is a place where people can gather and share ideas and resources, work through disagreements, and help each other thrive.
In our recent survey, the community-building participants we spoke with described how they spread hope through their efforts:
Some of these group-based elements were more commonly cited by the San Francisco and Philadelphia residents than by the scientists, but all of them are essential for building strong communities. For example, community builders must be open to the idea that they may not succeed every time they take a risk, and they need to have the courage to try again.
They also need to be willing to share their own failures and to learn from the mistakes of others. Finally, they need to be able to recognize that they have limited energy and to invest that energy wisely.
When the community-building work they do is rooted in a vision of a more hopeful future, it becomes easier to persevere through setbacks. It is also a more powerful motivation than simply trying to avoid negative consequences.
A community can consist of a small geographic area, a particular religious or political faith, a shared interest or activity, or a group of friends who support each other. The people in a community are connected to one another and have a sense of trust, safety, and caring for each other. They feel a sense of identity and ownership in the community and can influence its direction. They also have a shared understanding of the needs of the community and of its role in society.
3. It Gives Options
People who live in communities tend to have access to more resources than those that don’t. They may have more friends and relatives who are willing to offer support, or they might have a larger pool of colleagues who can help them find a new job. Communities also provide the opportunity to learn from other people’s experiences and perspectives. This helps to expand your knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of the world around you.
Many people identify with multiple communities. These can be based on neighborhood, company, school, faith, age group, politics, hobby or interest. Some of these communities are virtual, while others are real-life groups. In order for a community to be successful, members must feel like they belong. They must be able to trust one another, share common goals and interests, and care for one another. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of these connections, especially as we struggle to stay safe and connect with one another.
The word “community” has become a buzzword that is used in all sorts of contexts. It is often overused and can be misleading. However, it is a powerful tool to help us grow and thrive. People who live in communities are often healthier, happier, and more resilient. This is due to the social connection, which has been shown to reduce stress levels and boost self-esteem.
When we are surrounded by people who care about us, it can be difficult to get discouraged or give up. Whether they’re cheering you on while you run a marathon or encouraging you to go to therapy, your support network can make all the difference.
If you are looking for a way to add more meaning and purpose to your life, consider connecting with your local community. It can be a great place to build valuable relationships, and you never know where it might lead. Your community might be able to help you find a job, start a business, or learn new skills for personal development. You might even meet a lifelong friend along the way! The benefits of community are endless.
4. It Gives Opportunities
Communities give you the opportunity to explore your natural gifts and talents. They also allow you to develop strong relationships — from romantic ones to friendships, and anywhere in between. These relationships can heavily influence your personality and characteristics, so you may end up forming an entirely different person thanks to the people you interact with in your community. These interactions can also lead to professional opportunities, which are especially important during this pandemic.
In addition, your community can provide a source of comfort in times of crisis. This is because you have a group of people who can help you cope with difficulties, rather than going it alone. Your community can also help you cultivate a sense of empathy, which is an essential ingredient in emotional wellbeing.
The importance of community is often underestimated, even though it’s so integral to human life. People need community for survival. They need it for housing, transportation, and food, among other things. But they need it more for the sense of safety, belonging, and security that comes with it. They need it for the social support that allows them to manage stress, which contributes to a longer lifespan.
A community can consist of many different groups of people based on their geographic location, culture, heritage, religion, government, values, work, or common interests. Some examples of these include a sports team, choir, or support group. The benefits of a community are immense, and can add purpose and meaning to your life.
The core definition of a community includes 5 key elements: locus, action, sharing, social ties, and diversity. Locus and sharing are most frequently cited by participants across all groups, while diversity is more commonly discussed by scientists. However, all of these are vital parts of a community. They each contribute to the feeling of trust, safety, and security that is so essential to human life. They also contribute to the sense of identity formation that is so central to who we are as humans. When a person feels a part of a community, they build the story that the community tells into their own identity and see the world through the lens of that narrative.