community

Community is vital. Fellowship with other people, especially those that are like-minded, is vital. Being with those you love and cherish is vital. It feeds the soul. It warms the heart. It is happiness. It is good.
Isolation is an enemy. Though it is necessary and useful at times, the results of constant isolation are bleak. Just from seeing people around me who voluntarily isolate themselves, I have come to the conclusion that it leads to a great lack of self confidence, it leads to anxiety, it leads to depression, among other things.

Community. Is. Vital.

I love being a part of something. I love being in a group of people and being able to talk and share. I love making people laugh. I love to be liked for my personality and my sense of humor. I love sarcasm. I love making jokes. I love serious conversation. I love good long chats. I love when people take me into their confidence. I love knowing everything about you, and you about me, and being friends despite it all.

I love community. I love it.

I know SO many awesome people, and I'm a part of a great group of people. My community is awesome. My city, my work, my church. I have hundreds of friends and a handful of best friends. I have friends living in different parts of the country and even in different countries. I have talented friends: nurses, EMTs, musicians, artists, dancers, business owners, bakers. I'm constantly blown away by the fact that God has put some seriously incredible people in my life. I'm really grateful for each and every person I've met and managed to stay friends with, haha. :) it's awesome. This life I live is amazing, and I really am a blessed person. That word is worn out and tossed around, but from the heart, I am a very, very blessed person.

It makes me sad sometimes though that I can't be around each and every person I love. I can't be involved in everyone's life, and that is really sad to me. My whole life revolves around people. My desire in life is to just know people and to be there for people. I want my entire life to be centered completely on other people and not on myself-- a great chore, seeing as how I'm human and self-centered. But it's something that can be accomplished. It requires dying to myself every single day, and realizing that, despite my imperfections, Christ can be perfected in my life. That's what I want-- that's the core of my calling in life.

If I could just send a general message to everyone who's life I've been able to touch, I'd say this : I desperately wish I could be in your life right at this moment. I wish I could have you over to my house, I wish I could make you food, I wish we could tell jokes, I wish I could photograph you, I wish I could give you stuff, I wish I could let you spend the night and stay up late being crazy, I wish I could show you around my city, I wish I could know the good, bad, and ugly about you.
God works in mysterious ways and I know for a fact that we met for a reason. I hope every time we get to talk or see each other, something awesome happens. And that each time is more awesome than last. :) And that I make you a happier person as a result of hanging out. That's all I want really. I just want to be used to make people happy, and to bring out the best in everyone.

I know life is busy, and I know that work is important, school is important, your calling is important. But don't forget to hang out with friends. Don't, and I mean DO NOT, forget to hug people. That's important. If you're by yourself on a Saturday night, and you have nothing to do, don't spend it alone. Grab someone you love-- go hiking. Go see a movie. Go skateboarding. Go to a karaoke bar. Go to a coffee shop. Go to a ball game. Just grab em and go, and I promise you won't regret it.

Community is important. Love on people.

Till next time,