So what is the difference between individuality, community, and how can we bring them together? What is Individuality? Individuality is what makes all of us unique and includes things like personal life experiences, gifts and talents, personality, goals and vision, etc.
What is Community? The original idea for community was "common unity." Essentially, it's what brings people together. This could be many things like common values, interests, beliefs, aspirations, and so on. The Challenge Of course, the challenge is how can we have both individuality and community and not sacrifice one to obtain and maintain the other. I've seen a couple of examples where one is sacrificed to maintain the other. A Couple Examples...
¡0 It seems like many of the Asain cultures value community. After talking with a martial arts instructor, I learned an interesting observation about the subject of students asking questions in this Chinese martial art. The observation is that there really isn't an
understanding or assumed context for questions when dealing with the traditional teachers. Despite the absense of individual thought in the form of questions, community is maintained all through out the classes with the "older brothers" teaching the "younger brothers" in this great art.
¡1 One of my health care providers really excels in providing excellent and targeted health care. Their individual focus and performance seems to always be great. However, their hours of availability are difficult sometimes to work with for those in the community who work regular full time jobs. I heard a saying, "Give an inch" which is basically what they do when it comes to scheduling. Just not two inches though... A Couple Suggestions on How to Bring Them Together
1. First of all, we need not assume that we can't have and develop one along side the other. Both individuality and community can grow together in the same "garden of life." 2. Every community has leaders in some form. Realize and encourage leadership to embrace, encourage, and nurture both individuality and community in their cultures. 3. Realize every person is unique and brings with them unique perspectives and feedback. 4. Having stated #3, many of us are a mixture of brokenness and wholeness, selfishness and generousity, etc. Not all feedback comes from a "pure place' in an individual's heart, soul, and
mind. Those who are their "true selves" can bring the purest, most original and objective thoughts.
5. Have said #4, usually you can find some objective truth even in biased information that could be used for the growth of the community. 6. It's very difficult for one person to "expand their mind and focus" to see every angle of a problem or situation. This is where multiple people can "bring many or all of the pieces together." 7. When leadership in the community understands what a "safe community" looks like in their daily practices, it becomes easier for people to open up about their thoughts and feelings. 8. Realize people have different gifts and dreams that could be of service to other members of the community no matter how unique they may seem. 9. The role of a "facilitator" is what helps all these unique gifts be discovered, revealed, and to flow together in harmony. 10. Asking questions allow all to learn and grow in their unique ways. Two of My Own Examples I'm currently part of two business communities that encourage creating the individual life of our dreams by building our own businesses. If you have interest in checking out these communities, you can visit these websites: http://SteveKMartin.arbonne.com/
https://theinspiredandinformedlife.com/start/home
Your Takeaway So what communities are you involved in where you are practicing individuality, community, and learning how to bring them together?