I’ve been writing about feelings affecting goals lately, and I’ve felt terribly vulnerable. But it’s also been awesome because I have reached out to more people in the last couple weeks than I have in months. I received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine 2 weeks ago. I realize the gift, but I also know that many people have not received it, often due to a personal choice, not knowing it’s available, or lack of resources. I’ve realized:
Pooling resources creates a sense of community.
When resources are used equally, the community can be strengthened. Yes, if people only act in their own self interest, then benefits may diminish. When resources are used proportionality, equality may not be met.
What this has to do with feeling? I feel that the vaccine has been given fairly proportionally, based on essential workers and those with pre-existing conditions, at least in my state. BUT those who are making the intentional choice to not get the vaccine are hurting my sense of community. I don’t know how many coworkers, church goers, or even family members have not gotten the vaccine, intentionally or otherwise.
I still crave community.
I don’t want to be black and white with relationships being affected by the vaccine rollout, but the pandemic is still happening. Even as an introvert, I care deeply about many people and share in their joys, confusions, triumphs, and worries. BUT I deeply care about my sense of safety. And some people may consider this selfish or even a fear-based feeling, but I can’t expose myself to “new” people right now, AKA people I haven’t seen since 2019.
Life talks with fellow overachievers and creatives have kept me focused on personal goals while also helping me get out of my headspace. I caught up with my friends Marissa and her boyfriend Aaron, Kaitlyn, Sam K., Krista, and Sam F. And I think these people have enough similarities with me that we can have fellowship but enough differences too to keep our connections fresh.
I am leaning into my bigger goals for the year: writing a book and forming a digital community, and I want to connect them.
Covid-19 has given me space and time to work on myself, but I realize that I am happiest when this work also helps others. In other words, using my skills to make the world a little better.
So I am excited to share that as a result of having awesome, supportive friends and giving myself time to write, I have some progress on making a digital community! I hope to use the physical book as space for reading and personal challenges, then a digital platform to expose, discuss, and engage in social challenges. I don’t want to stick to one social media because FB and the like may come and go, but the cloud doesn’t forget!
So, how can you lean into your community more? Maybe start with a comment here! See you next Sunday or sooner.