Don’t Live in Isolation
John Donne said, “No man is an island, entire of itself.” We will do well to heed his wise words. Though many people celebrate the rugged individual, individualism is a lonely place to be. We need people.
Going it alone isolates. We are emotionally and physically healthier when we connect in community. Our mental health depends on it.
Besides family and neighbors, we should pursue other connections as well. This goes beyond the workplace and extends to the area where we live. Doing so adds value to our life and forms meaningful relationships outside of home and work.
Community Considerations
Here are some areas to pursue:
Nonprofits: Look for worthy nonprofit organizations to support. They don’t just need your money. They need your time too. As you give, you’ll form meaningful connections with those gathered around a common interest.
Service Groups: Consider service groups and parachurch organizations. These, too, can provide a place to belong, working with others to achieve a shared goal.
Church: The connections enjoyed in a church setting offer psychological benefits as well as spiritual. Don’t dismiss church until you try it. Make a focused attempt to connect with other people there.
And if you tried church and found it lacking, don’t dismiss the idea. Try it afresh. Keep searching for a place to belong.
Community Essentials
The purpose of pursuing community is to form connections, which has a side effect of enhancing our lives. Yet to realize connections that last, these communities need an outward focus, not an inward selfishness.
Groups that seek only to serve themselves and exclude others crumble in a couple of years. Those with an outward focus can last much longer.
As we connect with others, we’ll live a more fulfilling life and benefit society. As a bonus, it’s when we seek to connect with others that we receive the most.
Life Lesson
We’re not meant to go through life alone. We need others, and they need us. We need community.
Read more in Peter Lyle DeHaan’s latest book Sticky Living featuring his compelling story-driven insights and tips, part of the Sticky Series.
Peter Lyle DeHaan is an entrepreneur and businessman who has managed, owned, and started multiple businesses over his career. Common themes at every turn have included customer service, sales and marketing, and leadership and management.
He shares his lifetime of business experience and personal insights through his books to encourage, inspire, and occasionally entertain.