CONNECT THE DOTS

As I continue to read the work of Joanna Macy and Jem Bendell and continue to consider the state of our Earth and our global society, it comes to me that this move to Mexico has had a bigger purpose than I imagined in the beginning. I now believe that I am here to learn about community (see my post COMUNIDAD from early July) and its broader meaning. Here in Mexico, where family is so very important and everyone comes together for the good of all. Now my task is to create community for myself from a sea of strangers.

In searching the internet for ideas about what community means, I came across a post called “Community is Everything: How to Build Your Tribe” in Inc. This Morning newsletter. Miki Agrawal gives her ideas about creating her “tribe”. She’s hand-picked her members of “inspiring friends” who “challenge me to be the best version of myself and support me through the great and the not-so-great.” Here’s her list of how to nurture your group: “Express happiness when you see your people…Let everyone share stories and participate…Forget the small talk (dig in)…Give credit as often as you can…Instill confidence — it’s free…Challenge your people to push themselves…Connect people!” I love her ending statements: “Don’t make friends just to make friends. Build the right community…(It) is so much more about what you put in than what you get out.” This young person has great wisdom already. I think of these words as I meet and interact with people. Perhaps because of my age I am “pickier” as well. No time for small talk. Now the climate issue — the Great Turning — has become an important conversation for me. And there is much to say. Many of you know how terribly serious I can be. I’m counting on my new community to help me see how much fun there is to be had! (Like the concert by Celia Farran that I attended with my Spiritual Friends tribe yesterday. Her songs are connecting and soulful.)

Coffee shops and markets, fiestas and concerts. Hiking, traveling, classes. Walking around the village. All places to find folks to connect with. People are anxious to connect here, anxious to tell their stories. Just by moving here we often have a great deal in common.

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We found this house in the country at the last minute a year ago. Luckily we landed in the midst of a mixed community that looks out for each other. My growing Spanish allows me to interact with the Mexican families on a casual level. The neighbors behind us are gringo & Mexican, bilingual, and often helpful in figuring out the politics and protocols of the Mexican world. I understand there are some gringos here who hide away and see the local culture only as servants. But most are here to be involved in and learn about the culture I believe. Hopefully we can learn from each other.

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Here in Ajijic I have the opportunity to create the “right community”. But I am also realizing that my community does not have to be just here. It includes friends (and family) from everywhere I’ve lived previously, as well as those I’ve yet to meet. In fact, new friends are arriving here from North Carolina in October and January. We’ve met, shared some good times, connected by email and Facebook, and look forward to getting to know each other. From St. Thomas, Virgin Islands to Sweden, from Ohio, Florida and Oregon, from North Carolina, my home state, and from Oaxaca and Teotitlan del Valle to Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico, we are all community. We are all family, by birth, choice or circumstance. We are all in this together. We are all One. Connecting the dots.