"We won't create true community until we need each other to survive."

When I had my shop, elders often came wandering in and dispensed amazing nuggets of wisdom. Bill was an elder that came from the west coast. He had been given permission by his elders to share the “world change” stories. He spent months in my town and would gather people together and he would tell us stories about previous world changes and ‘prophecies’ or clues to help get through the one I think we are in now.

One day I was telling him about all of the people who came into my shop from all over the world. Again and again people told me they were very drawn to my community because there was a sense of community. When I shared this with Bill I was surprised by his response. He told me that though there was a sense of community here, it was an illusion and that “We won’t create true community until we need each other to survive.” He also told me that a “true community” was a community in which everyone understood the significance of everyone else in the community.

Every member would be valued because it was understood that every member had something important to contribute to the overall well being of the community. The loss of one member of the community could put the whole community at risk. He implied that our current culture doesn’t seem to value tangible skills like preparing food, building things, growing food, or healing. Rather our culture only seems to value material things and people who are good at making money.

He then said that when a community is under duress, it is often surprising who saves the day. There are some people that have what may seem a mundane or ‘unimportant’ job that comes up with really innovative ways to solve the problem that no one else can solve. He also said that sometimes is is through solving problems with people who think differently. Often solutions to big problems are solved through collaboration. He said that is why it is important to treat everyone with respect and kindness. When every person in the community is valued and cared for, there is stability in the community and freedom for the individual. This kindness and care brings a sense of security to the community and allows people to be their best selves.

He also said it was important to see in other people, the things they can’t see in themselves. He felt it was important to share what you see in them. As I am writing this I understand he meant both their gifts and their faults. When you can see all of the facets of someone, you realize that nobody is all good or all bad. You also realize that everyone has gifts along with faults. You don’t have to judge, you just have to be realistic. When we can’t see our gifts, we never explore what those gifts mean and when we hide from our faults, we make more suffering for ourselves and often for other people.