Main points:
- What is a community?
- What is community connection?
- How do you do it?
The word “community” can mean many different things. Community can be found in the places we live, work, and play. It can also be found in the links we create with others through common interests, beliefs, or passions. For today, let us define community as the place we live.
Community connection is a positive thing. It affects our health and wellbeing socially, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Simply put, feeling like part of a community is feeling that you belong!
Relationships are at the heart of community. Strong connections with family, friends, and other communities help us feel joyful, safe, supported, and like we have purpose. Connection protects us – it helps us deal with stress in a healthy way and reduces the chances of mental health concerns. Connections help us develop a positive view on life and to be resilient when bad things happen. The COVID-19 pandemic has made us be physically distant from our communities for the safety of all. Now more than ever, we need to be creative and connect in all the different ways, shapes, and forms we can manage.
Answer these “community connection” questions. Do you feel connected to your community? Are you involved with your neighbors and neighbourhood events? How can you be a “connection leader” in your community? Here are a few ideas:
- Paint rocks with positive messages to display on community pathways
- Engage in collective projects, such as spring cleanup
- Start a chain of random acts of kindness
- Shovel your neighbour’s walk or mow their lawn
- Say “hello!” or wave when you pass someone on the street
- Take time to get to know a neighbour
