Community is key to our human experience

Being part of a community is a huge factor in our mental and emotional wellbeing. Community involvement gives a feeling of connectedness, belonging and social support. It adds meaning and purpose in everyday life. It gives strength.

Life can be very busy at times. We all get caught up in our own to do lists, goals and trying to balance that with our daily responsibilities can so easily take up all your time and energy.

I recently suffered a bereavement and have been blown away by the support received from so many that I have known from different times and stages in my life – from being part of different groups – both formal and informal.

I have always known that people are the most important part of life, but this has been brought home to me in the most powerful and practical way in the last months, weeks, days, and hours in so many touching and memorable ways.

Community will look different to different people. For some, it will be your local GAA or football club. You can insert any other club or group type here – Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, gymnastics, golf, drama, and musical groups. The various St. Patrick’s Day parades around Ireland and the world are a wonderful example of different aspects of community.

For others it will be the group they volunteer with – animal charities, or charities supporting the elderly, the sick, the vulnerable, tidy towns, or different good causes and the many different charities connected with county Volunteer Centers. It can also involve groups like the Lions Club, the Soroptimists or Rotary of which I am myself a very proud member.

The Church of your own religious community is a very powerful dimension and the backbone of community for so many, particularly in times of challenge, grief, and loss. I have felt tremendously supported by my own local Catholic Church and Priest these last weeks and months. I could not have asked for better support and have been deeply strengthened by the help given.

For those who work, your business community, colleagues, collaborators, and clients form part of that community–the people who work in the same organization or enterprise center even. Groups like Chambers of Commerce and BNI also have a great value.

Old friends from primary or secondary school – or University days or different times of life or fellow members of professional bodies are also part of your community. . Whatever the group, community is a key part of wellbeing.

Communities exist for many reasons – because of shared locations hobbies, backgrounds, or a common cause they believe in or lived experiences.

There are both in person and virtual, online communities – but all can help people to have a better mindset, improved sense of self-worth, and or a greater enjoyment of life. Neighbours are key. All groups give strength.

As we age, relationships and connections are an even bigger contributor to our wellbeing. Being involved helps feeling valued and comfortable socially. These and other benefits – as well as adding to our enjoyment can prevent and reduce feelings of isolation, anxiety, depression, and more.

Community is key to our human experience. It enables us to share interests, to support each other grow and to work together for the common good of the wider world, our environment or other noble causes. Being part of a community gives a lot of personal and spiritual strength. If you are not involved in community groups – think about doing so – even if you are busy.

There are so many benefits – growth, innovation, service, support (both giving and receiving), fun, connection and sharing.