It Takes a Village

I spent yesterday afloat in a community of people, and it has given me cause to contemplate: what makes a community?  The people I spent this year working with held a 'do' yesterday that managed to spend the whole day in praise of one another, speaking well of the departing and laughing together without any pretense, back-biting or sarcasm. What is the glue that holds communities together?  When I was reflecting on this in the early hours of the day it occurred to me that many people would say the leadership, or others the constituent people and their character. BUT I have seen plenty of environments which have a high level of one or the other and fail to create a cohesive community. 

I propose that it is the subtle 'norms' created by a sort-of culture created in groups of people which is unconsciously expressed.  For example, new people to this community get the vibe through signals that 'we don't do that here' and adjust their behaviour accordingly.  I have seen how fragile these positive communities are: one element out of balance and people do things they don't normally do.  People who suddendly undervalued in a previously positive workplace can change their loyalty, work ethic and even their moral compass based on a common enemy.

So how do we create and preserve a cohesive and positive community?  The only thing that I can see that works is: value your members.  It seems to be that simple.  Valued people work harder, feel more loyal and give more of themselves to the community. Goodwill is so imporatnt that it has been given a financial value in business. The value of goodwill in a community cannot be undersold.  Being able to rely on forgiveness at best and leeway at worst are more likely to lead to a connected and therefore positive member of the community.

So where does that leave us all? At the eve of a huge holiday which celebrates (among other things) community I can only say that I am grateful.  Thank you to everyone who has let me be a part of their wonderful and loving community.

The Good Earth

There are lots of times when gardening that I can really feel the pleasure and love of it all.  Those, "Hello, little seed!" moments, when things first perk up out of the ground, or those mild days when I run my fingers through the crusty earth and it all just seems to be good and worthwhile. 

Unfortunately, today did not seem to be one of those days! Too hot to be out, swinging a mattock into the woven mat of cooch grass weeds covering our would-be melon patch, things just seemed to be a bit of a pain in the tuchus at the moment.  At these times, I can start to wonder why we bother.  But then, I reflect on the other day sitting at the table and having my two-year old point to a particularly juicy tomato and say, "This is from our garden!"  Well, it wasn't but it is nice to know that he relates the tastiest morsels at the table to that statement we have clearly repeated to him so frequently!  It helps me remember that beyond the economy of growing our own food, beyond the environmental purpose, and even beyond the superior taste of homegrown food there is a purpose: leading by example, teaching our kids about where our food comes from, empowering them with the simple life skill of growing food. 

Ah! Tasty!