| Community is as Community Does |
| Thoughts |
| Written by Theresa |
| Monday, 17 May 2010 05:45 |
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Community is crucial to me. It is a poorly kept secret that I have a standing date with the women of my postpartum “mumnet” group (it’s called “network breakfast” in my calendar and no one is allowed to override the appointment). Most of us are 14+ years postpartum but we are all still connected to each other and bound in the act of raising our kids and nourishing each other. We meet every Friday morning for brunch at a local restaurant to chat, laugh, cry, support and eat. My life would truly suck without these women. On a career note, these women were my first focus group, my first clients and the first to tell me (over and over again) I actually could balance it all when I started my business. Some of them went back to a more traditional workforce as counselors, lawyers, accountants, teachers, graphic designers, nurses, you name it, we have it covered. Each has created a life that included kids and self, some with more struggle than others. All have shared her personal journey with the group in an intimate, honest way. I could cry just thinking of the things we have been through together. They are like family. And, like family, we don’t really talk about the details of work. Oh, sure we share when it’s been a bully of a week either good or bad. But the details, disasters and triumphs of work life are usually restricted to a sentence or two. What happens then when you are self employed, entrepreneurial and in love with your work? Where does a girl turn to find a community of people who might understand that kind of love or even inspire? Like so many women, much of my work happens in my office or kitchen at home when I am alone. I research, cook, write and think mostly alone. But, where does one tap for a giggle or a breath when there is no one in the next cubicle? With whom does one share her next big idea? Twitter said my pal Erica Ehm. It is where your world is meeting without you. “What a time suck” I thought, “she is as crazy as a kite in a forest”. But, I logged on anyway. And, sure enough, there they were. All the women I had heard about or hoped to find where quipping away in 140 characters. They were writing and sharing, they were guiding and following. And they were interested and interesting people. It has become a virtual coffee shop/watercooler that is virtually always open. I have actually met a number of these people at real events or tweet ups that I have heard of through, yep, twitter. I have been fortunate enough to find colleagues, no, friends who understand what it is like to work hard, think big, inspire exponentially and still be home for dinner. During the week, they lead me into their blogs, news, studies and reports (sometimes their tweets provide simply a much needed quip to break up the day.) Unlike at the “real” office I have to admit, that I have a hard time getting through the weekend hours without tapping in to find them. Sure enough, Saturdays and Sundays find them tweeting about the neighbors, their days, their thoughts and where to find dinner. Such a motley crew too! Disparate sisters and souls connected through a thread. It is like a hub of my very own creation. I get to follow the goings on of people who are doing things I am interested in. That may be the only thing that they have in common. Make no mistake, though, they truly are a community. I would never, ever have believed it if I hadn’t found it, make that created it, myself. Where do you find community? Do you have enough of it?
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