Dear Readers,
Readers, I addressed this blog to you because there is one community I’d like to move forward and build and that is a community with you! I realized that part of my lack of inspiration to write is because there is no community…YET!
According to my Google search, the Oxford definition that resounded in me was, “A feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.” To add onto the definition above, a blog community is one in which I write, you read and we come together to share and grow. My hope is that together we can help each other become our strongest most exceptional selves—the people we were always meant to become especially if we’ve been estranged, dragged through a terrible divorce or suffered in any way.
Recently I became aware of community and its ability to nurture all of its members. I am approaching year two of having moved from Northern California back to my hometown and childhood home in the mountains of SoCal. My focus both unconsciously and consciously has been about building community and making healthy relationships happen.
This past year I’ve been building a few communities. The first is my three blocks long street. I’ve always known my neighbors immediately next door and across the street; however, it has now expanded to the northern reaches due to one man who loves sitting outside in the sun. This man is Dave!
I read once in a Seth Godin book the different roles that people play in marketing. Dave is a connector! He unites everyone with everyone and from him has arrived many a new client to my business and warm relationships inside and outside the neighborhood as a result.
The second community is CoDA (Codependents Anonymous). I highly recommend this group if you know that you’ve remained in an unhealthy marriage/relationship for too long. More than likely you suffer from people pleasing. This group is about learning to become strong inside, create healthy boundaries, eliminate toxic people and attract kind souls into your life.
For the past few years, I stopped attending meetings; those meetings are what saved my life and helped me weather through all my personal challenges that came with my decision to divorce. When I first moved back to my mountaintop, the spark to return “home” to CoDA also began. Unfortunately, there were no meetings available locally so I let the idea drop until my childhood friend discovered that one had begun in our community—a five minute drive. Beginning this winter she and I attended our first meeting. As the weeks are moving forward and with consistent attendance, I’m participating in another venue of connection and it feels amazing.
Building a business is all about community building! I knew this as I started learning about marketing my business and the services I provide; however, now I can feel it.
Beginning as a forest service employee directing people on where to go in nature to have some fun, I discovered that I love serving up fun, beauty and positivity to tourists. Moving back where I am surrounded by the National Forest has once again connected me to sharing what I love most with others—nature, fun and beauty! I love tourists because what we all share, either for a visit or lifestyle, is our love and appreciation for the great outdoors.
I don’t know if you found me because you know me, you’ve searched for estrangement and experienced it or simply landed upon my blog by accident. Either way, I would love to come together and create a thriving community where we can share our hopes, dreams and begin a new path to achieving a life we always hoped we could live, no matter our current circumstances. What do you think? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section. And if you like what you read, can you please like it and leave me your email address? I wish you warm thoughts and inspiration to move forward in your life!
Sincerely,
Tina