Think about your core circle of people for a minute. This is not only your family and friends but also those you are connected to outside this group. Oftentimes we are more connected than we realize, but maybe not in the best manner.
I was talking with one of the guys I mentor the other day about how we typically have many people in our lives for a season, like college. Then we may have a fair amount of people around us for a specific situation, like a life event such as getting married. But most only have a few friends who are considered lifelong friends. Those who stick by your side through it all. Sound familiar?
As a culture, we are becoming less and less neighborly, relational, and friendly and more and more coarse, difficult, and assuming. The hard part is that as society is becoming more and more like that, we, in turn, become more and more a product of our society. Now that\’s not a cop-out for you or me to mirror culture, but it is a consideration regarding the lens we see the world.
As our society embraces a push to cancel those who don\’t align with our specific mindset, approach, or views, it is easier and easier to surround yourself with only those who think critically, passively, or act like you. It becomes easier and easier to assume that everyone either does or should think like me, but I believe this free speech and free thought is what has allowed for the diversity there is in America today. So trying to understand the differences by hearing others\’ opinions and actually considering perspectives that are different than your own is critical in being able to rebuild the communities we live in.
You may have heard the saying, \” Show me your network, and I will show you your net worth.\”
Who you surround yourself with does define you. Now, this doesn\’t mean that we separate, isolate, and divide, but instead, pre-determine who has the voice to speak into your life and be quick to listen and slow to speak.
This society is quick to speak, quick to pounce, quick to assume, and quick to get angry over other people and their individuality. This causes us to be less and less engaged in the lives of others, therefore, more and more curt and isolated.
If you have ever heard of blue zones, they are areas that have abnormally healthy communities. I believe that part of this is due to the community aspect of each of these areas. We all need people, and we need to figure out ways to serve the essential people in our lives.
Think about how much of your life you spend alone;
if you are an introvert, you may fare better by spending longer stints alone, but if you\’re an extrovert, the distance from people or isolation can be even more detrimental.
Just think about the last couple of years, where the importance of products like Zoom, GoogleMeet, Slack, and other communication and collaboration mediums have exploded.
These have allowed us to virtually be together but have they actually helped build your sense of belonging, of community, and your ability to connect with other people? Maybe to some extent.
I take the approach that besides your family, you need to have three tiers of folks in your life. Those that are pouring into you, developing you, mentoring you, walking shoulder to shoulder through life with, and those who you are pouring into, developing, mentoring.
Besides just having people in your circle, in your corner, or in your tribe, I think it\’s important to cultivate community with other people, whether it\’s through a church, a club, a mastermind group, or some other way to connect with and learn from other people.
In order to have the ability to both virtually and physically meet with people, you will need to be connected.
Now you\’re probably asking, what does being connected to others have to do with my finances? Well, I think the more generous you are with your time, talent, and resources, the more opportunity you will have, and the less you will focus on yourself and your own needs.
So, if community is a necessity, how can you work to better harbor community?
CTA:
My call to action is to think about ways to develop the three tiers as a start, then serve those who you want to pour into you, your family and friends, and those that you have a heart to serve or pour into.
