Finding community

We all need a sense of community. A place that not only we call home but a place to belong.

All of us, no matter how introverted we are, have social needs. As a group organizer, I regularly see how much this can be lacking in so many of our lives.

It is easy to blame the digital age, technology, or the media. That’s the easy target. I think it is much more complex than that.

It is not enough to be in a community. Anyone can pick a community and be a part of it, but it goes much deeper. Many of us are seeking those connections that give us meaning and a sense of fulfillment—something a little more than the superficial.

We all come from different backgrounds that are just waiting to be discovered. We all have stories. A history. Something to contribute.

Yet, there is some kind of comfort in the little screen that fits almost too perfectly between our hands. Hoping that our yearning for community can give us much more than that fleeting dopamine hit.

The truth is, for most of us it will never be enough. A true genuine connection can never be replaced with a screen or a headset.

Yes, we may be able to build acquaintances or even friends through technology. Communities that move us, require us to put the screen down, be a little vulnerable, and share the stories that make us who we are.