Common ground, common practice, common goals, etc.!  We hear these phrases so often, especially from ‘experts’ in the fields of human relations, communication, psychology; even from pastors and church leaders!

What do they mean?  And are they real ’stuff’ or just the latest buzz phrase craze?

Common means belonging to or shared by two or more. . . familiar, general.  This according to Webster!

When we put together the vision and mission for A Women’s Place, we shared a ‘common’ thought that we want to grow a “community” of women who share a common ‘chronological maturity’ and recognize the 2nd half of the journey as being a period of transitions.  A time to move on as yet unrealized dreams, desires, hopes and goals! 

Community to us means women who are like-minded in many ways, but unique in others!  It means more than just networking for any purpose!  For me, it’s something that occurs when I encounter women whose life and experiences cut across that which has been my own and together we nod our heads in agreement!

But more than that, it’s learning something new that enriches me - even if it’s a small thing.

As I’ve been sharing here this week about ‘community’, I’ve found my thoughts going to those areas of the internet that like to think of themselves as ‘community’, but are really not so.  Places that market themselves as ’social networking’.  Experts in the area of the boomer market are now talking about a ‘boom’ in what they call “silver surfing”.  The increase in the number of ’seniors’ or over 50 folks who are signing in droves with the so-called ’social networking’ sites.

Am I jealous?  A little!  They have huge numbers and get major traffic on a moment to moment basis. But is it or would it be true to our vision, our mission, our goals - our dream?

Not really, because building community is a whole lot different than making it possible for folks to post videos (some not so nice ones at that) or make a space to share things about themselves with total strangers around the world who may not have their best interests at heart.  In fact, there is now considerable concern about how many of the social networking sites are being used and the lack of safety members truly have on these sites.

As I said yesterday, true community is more than just commonly-held values or beliefs.  It’s about building a sense of safety, trust, respect and care for each other - for those who form the larger group we call ‘community’.  If we look at groups that refer to themselves as ‘community’, it isn’t always a fact that one can trust, respect or be respected, feel safe and cared for by those who make up the community-at-large. 

In fact, the very places we ought to feel all of these positive ‘goodies’ are often the places that afford us the most grief!  But that’s a whole ‘nuther direction for another day!

 Can we make community happen via technology?  Something that seems on the surface so sterile and impersonal!  Can we form trust, respect, love and care for others via cyberspace?  Will it be safe?  All these questions are critical to our vision and that of women who’ve joined us here, as well as those who will come in the future.

It’s a huge task!  It involves really knowing what community means to each of us - community that goes beyond networking for personal, business or even spiritual growth reasons.

Tomorrow I want to share how I think community really comes to happen and how that relates to each of us as we move through the 2nd half of the journey wanting to achieve our destined purpose! 

And after all, isn’t that what the 2nd half of the journey is designed for?  To bring us to a point in our ‘chronological maturity’ where what we need to do is definitely more important that what we’ve done in the past that may not be our dream - our destiny, but that of others!

My apology if this seems a little ‘disjointed’, but I’ve had phone calls and multi-tasking out the whazoo this morning.  I promise to be more focused and less ‘frazzled’ tomorrow.  In the meantime,

Have an AWESOME day with much love and many blessings!

  Linda