Community

What does it mean to be a part of something? What is community.

I see how I seek to create it everywhere. I am naturally inclined to bring people together and share and express the things I love and the things that interest and excite me.

Every person in a community is valuable, I truly believe this in my core. And yet I know each of us have felt somewhat disposable at some point in our lives. So what’s with that? Why is it so much easier to look at someone else’s value and asses and recognize it and it is so easy to forget our own.

I believe in the power of media and I believe in the power of the Internet. I believe it is a place we can connect with each other.

The little experiment I was conducting with posting everyday and looking to get more peeps involved was really an exploration of this community building process for me.
And I loved it. But now the big ticket question, the question that is the next step for the evolution of my journey… wow… that sounds so epic… WHY?

Build a community… beautiful, fun, cool… Let’s do it. But what if there is more to it than that? What if a community with a potent purpose or goal is possible? A community with an intention. Not a church or religion, not a political party, but an intention to elevate all of humanity… equally, compassionately and wholly?

Cool!

Let’s do it…………………………………………………………………………….

Got any ideas?

xo
allison

PS: The video is something rad one of my many partners in crime sent me! Thought it was fitting given my post… Connect why?

Newer Comments →
  • Robin

    Hello Allison and everyone else in this community,

    I think part of being human is a great sense of needing community, as though we have some deep need to be part of a pack a need for belonging.

    Be it like minded friends, family, work colleagues, football teams, social clubs, even internet blogs, they all give a certain sense of belonging to a form of community.

    Having been reading such challanging and interesting topics on this site and having the ability to participate with others in so many countries has been a wonderful experience.

    As for suggestions, well I’ve found the topics I’ve responded too the most have been the general philisophical ones, ie, justice, ego, guilt etc.
    I’ve also found the interview you conducted with Ward interesting which forced me to ask questions of my own conduct in how I live my life.
    I also love the quotes that were the basis of subjects, which have encouraged me to at least expolore a little into each of these persons history and the context of which the used quotes were taken

    As for the future, how about monthly challanges that any social group in the World can be part of that isn’t too expensive.

    How about Books/authors we could each review and recommend, or films, art/history exhibitions to explore or even how about we all report on the history of where we each live-the similarities and differences, just ideas, what do you think?…

    The big asset this site has had is to embrace differing opinions, rather than a clear right/wrong answer, with everyone on an equal footing,sharing ideas and I hope that further discussions continue in this vain.

    here’s to future endeavors..

  • http://www.myspace.com/rostafarian Ross UK

    Wow, this is deep. Forming or joining a community is easy – we do it in every aspect of our lives, family, school, work, social life, hobbies, internet etc – but giving it a purpose is harder. It involves everyone running in the same direction, and people more often than not have differing views on how and what things should be done. It’s easy to see in religions and political parties – everyone involved in a given community has the same agenda for the most part.

    “[A]n intention to elevate all of humanity… equally, compassionately and wholly”. This is harder than simply gathering likeminded people such as in the examples above. Look at charitable organisations for example. Greenpeace, Amnesty, all the hosts of charities for the protection of children and animals – they were all set up with the view of bettering the world, but they all go about it in different ways. They all have different agendas that aren’t necessarily compatible in the short term, although they aim at the same end result – a perfect world. But again, they all probably have very different ideas of a perfect world. You could maybe even include Juicy Peach in this group – supporting art and artistic people can only benefit mankind but charities for, say, the homeless would probably think you are concentrating your support in the wrong area.

    Creating a community to elevate humanity is a worthwhile goal, and no-one would disagree, but you’ll probably get a great deal of dissent about the means of going about it, and what the end result should be. I hope we can all, together, come up with a harmonious way of doing it.

  • Claud

    “Build a community… beautiful, fun, cool… Let’s do it. But what if there is more to it than that? What if a community with a potent purpose or goal is possible? A community with an intention. Not a church or religion, not a political party, but an intention to elevate all of humanity… equally, compassionately and wholly?”

    A great and worthy goal.

    Never be discouraged if you fail to elevate everyone, as some can not be elevated any farther, and some don’t want to be. Just think of those that can be / want to be /will be…

  • Jessica

    Hello all,

    I have a few things to say on this point. First of all, Allison, I want to let you know that you are a great role model for me. I think it is amazing that you do this blog thing, and start organizations like Juicy Peach. There are so many stars, both young and old, who don’t do that. I was so impressed when I found your site and saw that you were active on it. That you actually take the time to talk to your fans yourself; granted, you may not be able to read and respond to everything, but you make the effort. Many times in a person’s life, the effort makes all the difference.

    As for ideas, perhaps we could have a weekly discussion on ideas on humanity, or compassion, or anything else for the week. For example, I am in the military and currently deployed; I am often confronted with different ideas and situations. Sometimes, all of that leads to some pretty deep ideas. I think it would be great to be able to put these ideas and questions out there and see what everyone has to say about it. Just an idea.

    Again Allison, I really admire you. And you say that you have those friends that never cease to amaze you … I know that I will probably never meet you in person, but you inspire me to be involved in my community, and to use what pull or station I have to help others. You positively affect me every time I read your blog.

    I hope you have a great Halloween everyone!

  • vanessa

    Hi everyone (I´m Spanish, so forgive me if I make mistakes)

    I just found this website, and I´m very impressed to see the subjects that you talk about in this blog. I think you´re already doing good, just to make people think about important issues, and it´s amazing that you want to do more.

    I´ve got some ideas, but I´ll think more about it before I try to explain so that you can understand me without problems :)

    Love from Spain!

    Vanessa

  • http://www.avitable.com Avitable

    As a blogger who gets 20,000 hits a week, I love the feeling of community when it comes to commenting on people’s posts, replying to those comments, and creating a conversation that may eventually have impact. I’m hosting a Halloween party tomorrow night at my house, and there are over 50 bloggers from all across the US who are flying into Orlando just for the party. Many of us have never met in person, but we have a sense of community from blogging that means there will be very little awkwardness.

  • Heather

    What a great idea :) I absolutely love this site and community that we are all helping to build and become a part of, it truly is amazing.

    I have so many different ideas running through my head that I wouldn’t even know where to start.

    I remember thinking a while back when I was watching the inspirational video about Ward; that it would be interesting to see who the people of this community find inspiring. Perhaps by sending in little videos or interviews, works of art or writing, or simply just by sharing :) I am so curious to see who and what people are inspired by. I am inspired constantly by so many things and people, that I am curious what others find inspiring. I think it would be an interesting mission or challenge to really sit down and think about the inspirations in our lives and find creative ways to share :)

    I also love the idea that Robin shared about book reviews, film reviews, suggestions, etc. The history of where everyone lives is a wonderful idea too Robin! How interesting that would be :)

  • vanessa

    Hi everyone!

    I think it would be a good idea if people could have the opportunity to write a kind of essay or article about anything important to them. It could be posted on the forum or emailed to the moderator in here and one of them would be chosen every week so that everyone can read it and discuse about it. It could be a kind of “parallel blog” where everyone could get to have their entry.

    As I guess there are people from all over the world visiting this website, we could have many different points of view, and everyone could learn new things about other places. And we would have reporters in the whole world :)

    What do you think?

    Vanessa, Spain

  • Diego Barros

    Hi Allison, I am a Brazillian guy from São Paulo. Here Smallville make a BIG success (And I’am sorry for the wrong english, OK? really sorry hehe) But I wil try hehehe!

    You doing an ecxelent job on Smallville i adore very much yours scenes, you are so pretty, congratulations! You are a excellent actress and I desire all of good for you, much peace, longing e success.
    My birthday is on December 12th. I will be very happy if you answer me in my e-mail, be a present for me. God illuminated you and your family uccessful in whatever you do. Big kiss, and thanks, and you wanted a friend for informations about Brazil, I’ll be here, Bye! Thanks so much!

  • http://www.ruthieswoods.blogspot.com Ruth Wittum

    When I was in high school, computer class was optional. I took typewriting on a typewriter.

    My first introduction to the internet was in my second or third year of collge. I took a class where I basically learned to use hotmail, chatrooms and do some research.

    It was tediously slow, and yet, amazing that I could instantly interact with people across the country or globe.

    This generation is coming up now with a worldview so unique, like no other generation before. They are global, have a plethora of information at their fingertips that blows away those raised on encyclopedias at the library.

    I’m only 34. How things have change in just a decade! My children have no other view of the world than that presented by a global community…thanks to the world wide web. wow.

    I am absolutely drawn to the idea of connection, community and all the fantastic possibilities for elevating humanity. Love it. I want to see how these online communities inspire people to reach out in the “real world” hands on communities we live in everyday.

    I am finding my perspective towards those around me, friends and strangers alike, to be transforming. I am slowing down, seeing people, recognizing them as a part of my world…and finding myself opening up and reaching out. I think community inspires our inner evolution, our awaking. We need each other.

    What moves me the most about this post is that the very thing Allison is suggesting is already bursting out of your hearts…it’s in your comments. It’s splashed all over the internet amongst the disturbing reports that motivate us for change. It’s happening, and it is such a joyful experience to be a part. I’m looking forward to everyone’s ideas. You all are brilliant . Keep it up!

  • CJ

    I have been reading blogs lately by people that have the most positive thoughts that I’ve seen on the web. I’ve noticed that after a month of reading them, I’ve become happier, I’m more motivated and I generally just have a better perspective of all things and things to come. So for my idea, I simply think we (the community) should continue on with the fun topics, and Mack Events, but instead of keeping them to ourselves we should try to share them with other people outside of the community we have here.

  • http://www.daybow.com David Hayes

    Part of my role here is to present opposing points of view to help stretch people’s viewpoints a little.

    Every person in a community is valuable.

    It depends what you want. Let’s say you were growing a garden and welcomed any plant. Would you live with the fact that certain plants were choking the life out of the other plants … or would you remove them or segregate them so that the plats that complemented each other could grow stronger together? If the garden was for food and you wished to go in and gather the fruits of the garden, would you want Poison Ivy to flourish among the plants?

    In groups of people, if you just want to hang out, the diversity isn’t as much of an issue … unless some members of the community won’t allow the others to peaceably do what they want to do. If the group is to achieve something, it is best to pull together members with the same set of goals and the skills to accomplish them.

    I know someone who likes to talk about visiting 3rd world countries and helping people in terrible poverty better their lives … but she is disabled and can barely make it around our supposedly handicapped accessible, modern country. If she went somewhere where you had to walk overgrown paths to haul your own water, other people would have to help her just to do the everyday basics to exist. This means that people who need help or are there to help would be diverted to help someone that is there for … what? I know a person in need can learn a lot by helping others who need more, but sometimes the best thing you can do is stay in an environment set up for you where you are productive and do what you are good at … and donate some of what you earn to help send people who are physically able to help those in need. What I am getting at is that effective communities/groups get that way through focusing goals, sharpening skills and, often, by excluding people that hinder whatever goals the community exists to meet.

    Another way to look at it is having a diverse community, but having sub-groups that have their own goals and agendas without creating conflicts with the community as a whole. That works too. Some come for the events. Some come for the philosophical discussions in the blog. Some come for a behind the scenes look at some of what Allison is working on.

    A good model for a diverse community id “The Muppet Show” … for those of you who remember it. I don’t know how many people I talked to about that show, but the ones I talked to all loved it … because …. The reasons were all over the place. Some loved Kermit. Some loved the Cookie Monster or Beeker or Gonzo …. They all had a shared love of the show even though many had no common ground as to why they enjoyed it.

    ====

    Hopefully, I’ll have the stats done soon to get a hint if this community is growing … or distilling. I may conclude the stats with this final blog entry of Oct. 31st or stop at the end of September. The retina of my good eye began tearing Thursday afternoon, so I got more bubbles injected today and laser surgery tomorrow, so I may be a little more greedy about how I use my remaining time with decent vision.

    Today was strange. The people in the next room at the doctor’s office were also named Hayes. My wife cautioned the nurse not to mix up the charts so that the procedures got done to the wrong patient. The nurse promised to be careful. I told her, “That’s what they ALL say! That’s how I got my breast augmentation!”

  • robert

    hi, i believe about the internet bit that it should be owned my public and everyone should have a right to use it but also i believe that people should not be able to broadcast politics to try and influence people into choosing to do something that they wouldn’t otherwise do.

    with the community part i believe that everyone should be treated as an equal and all should be able to join one, also the bigger decisions should be made by the masses and not just the overall leadership status

  • http://www.myspace.com/rostafarian Ross UK

    “Another way to look at it is having a diverse community, but having sub-groups that have their own goals and agendas without creating conflicts with the community as a whole.”

    I suppose this is how many governments work these days. You have the government as a whole whose purpose is to act for the benefit of the nation. Within that government you have the various departments headed up by ministers or secretaries of state who, while working towards the same goal, will often have different agendas – particularly when it comes to splitting the budget…. You could say the Cabinet is a community where people have their own goals and agendas without jeopardising the purpose of the community as a whole.

  • taylor nikole

    “Every person in a community is valuable.”

    check and agree…

  • http://bubbalou.deviantart.com/ Lou

    politics suggest a community should be run through either companies or the government itself.

    no one seems to reinforce the fact that they are, for the most part, self-sustaining. there are things like food pantries, neighborhood associations, big brother & sister programs, etc. they never get the respect and attention they deserve.

    people ARE able to take care of each other. neglect is often out of considering yourself to be too busy, and not ignorance or apathy. People coming together like this is what the founders of most religions out there hoped for. Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, etc. all want things their own way and tend to look down upon other methods. personally, I believe myself to be capable of getting along with tons of folks I don’t agree with. granted they don’t shove their beliefs and opinions down my throat like my buddy the communist (and all his wierdo friends who do the same).

  • http://www.myspace.com/analfabeta Gnome

    I don’t know if this apply to this topic, but there is a story that I would like to share with all of you.

    There it goes

    One old man lived alone in Minnesota.

    He wanted to turn the land of his garden to plant flowers, but it was a heavy work for him. His only son, that used to help him in this task, is arrested. The old man then wrote the following letter to his son:

    ‘Dear Son, I am sad, because I’m not going to be able to plant my garden this year. I hate the idea of not to being able to make it, because your mother always adored the flowers, and this is the season of the plantation. But I am too old to dig the land. If you were here, I would not have this problem, but I know that you cannot help me, therefore you are arrested. With love, your father.’

    Shortly afterwards, the father received the following telegram:
    ‘ FOR the GOD LOVE, father, do not excavate the garden! I hid the bodies in there’.

    As the correspondences were monitored in prision… To the 4 a.m. of the following day, a dozen of Agents of the FBI and policemen had appeared, and dug the entire garden, without finding no body.

    Confused, the old man wrote a letter for his son telling what it happens.

    This was the reply: ‘ You can plant your garden now, father. This is the maximum that I can make in this moment.’

    Strategy is everything! Nothing like a good strategy to obtain things that seems to be impossible.

    Thus, it is important to rethink on the small things that, many times, ourselves place as obstacles in our own lives.

  • http://www.myspace.com/shinefloyd_luigi shinefloyd / luigi

    Great IDEA…!!
    yes…. let it be.
    “an intention to elevate all of humanity…”
    sounds wonderful.

    “Every person in a community is valuable…”
    yes… I agree absolutely.

    Ideas?…. mmmm…. just one in my mind.
    About natural healing breath techniques.
    yesterday… I had a little back pain ( I have 3 discs herniated in my back)….
    and only with 5 minutes of meditation and breath techniques and visualizing orange color ( chakra 2 )… the pain… disappear… totally!!!

    Allison… I think… that you know so much about breath techniques and meditation, and you can share with the community your knowledge about it.

    It’s not easy for me to teach about it… because I speak spanish and italian… I am learning english.

    I know that you believe in the power of the mind too…
    we can use that power to heal our physical pain.

    Good luck Allison… go ahead!

  • http://www.daybow.com David Hayes

    Gnome,

    With my luck, if I tried that stut and got the police to dig up my Father’s garden, they would find bodies that someone else had buried there and I would be in prison much longer.

    ===

    In my first post, I should have quoted Allison rather than just writing “Every person in a community is valuable.” That was not the position I was arguing. Some openly admit to trying to destroy communities from the inside and others join a community solely for what the community can do for them (and drain that community’s resources while contributing little or nothing). Of course, when it comes to evaluating the significance of an individual’s role in a community, that’s tricky. Sometimes a person’s weaknesses and needs inspires others to greater achievement.

  • http://www.daybow.com David Hayes

    And Ross UK,

    I’ve got dibs on being head of this community’s Department of Donut Inspection, Dipping and Testing — DoDIDaT.

  • http://www.daybow.com David Hayes

    And who should own the internet? Al Gore. He invented it, just like he invented Al Gore Rhythms. Of course this means our community would be lacking any members who suffer from AlGore-ophobia.

    [On a "Smallville" note, there should be marginally more viewers now that sufferers of AlGough-ophobia can watch! I had to go Miles for that one.]

  • http://Allisonmack.com Smallvillekent

    As human beings we all have the need to be part of a community. I am glad to be part of Allisons internet community with all of you guys. We all support you Allison!

  • http://www.myspace.com/rostafarian Ross UK

    LOL David. It took me a few readings to get the algorithms one but I’ve finally caught up with you. But we can’t let Al Gore own the internet, or anytime someone wanted to change something we’d have to drag him away from protecting us from Manbearpig. Our very lives depend on this!

  • http://www.daybow.com David Hayes

    But we need him in the community to help us stop internet warming!

  • http://www.myspace.com/fridayphilosopher The Friday Philosopher!

    I’m all for the evolution of this community.

    The fact that so many paople can come together in one place and manage without question to show respect and civility to complete strangers inspires me.

    I can’t think of idea’s at the moment, and my thumbs are killing from using this phone keypad, but as soon as I get the internet up and running again, I’ll come up with some idea’s.

    Allison, I’m glad your back, and it’s nice to read all of the comments you get. Some (if not most) of the community members are geniuses!

    Take care all!

    Friday

    P.S. Gnome, I loved you’re story. I laughed so much that I almost choked when I realised why his son had written about the bodies.

  • http://www.daybow.com David Hayes

    Off Topic:

    Just wanted to say, LIZETH, you are in my thoughts. You are not alone. And you are part of this community. Soon you will be out in the world. Don’t take the harsh and critical voices that echo in your head with you when you begin your new journey. Remember that sometimes when people seem critical, it is their way of showing that they care. Silence can be far crueler.

    [Hmmm. Maybe I should write fortune cookies.]

  • http://blog.allisonmack.com/2008/10/31/community/#comments Matthew

    I think we should take a day and dicuss the very biased media. It aggravates me that some media say the truth but not all of it. Why cant we just say the truth about who and what we are. Wouldn’t that be a better place??? The answer is totally, 100% YES! Why can’t we have truthful leaders, role models? What are these people afraid of!? I mean if we think mistakes are human then why cant we as human beings grow and learn to accept them!

    That would be really cool if we talked about it!!!!!!!!
    YAY
    MATTHEW!

  • http://www.daybow.com David Hayes

    Matthew,

    Check out the Blog entry dated 9/26/2008 entitled “Media.”

  • http://www.daybow.com David Hayes

    … which doesn’t mean the topic can’t be revisited.

  • Lizeth

    Yes! I love the video! I am who I say I am, and that is so true!!! My god thanks Allison! You’re awesome!!!!!!

    Yes it’s much easier to be expressive on the internet.. Because you ar behind a screen and you aren’t speaking your feelings with words flowing out of your mouth!!! It’s like… a cool way to express yourself! and I love the internet for that reason… I am tired, so I will reflect more about it tomorrow? I just came back from taking my 5 year old brother out trick or treating…. Night loves!!!!

    -Lizeth

  • Puffy

    “Years ago I recognized my kinship with all living things, and I made up my mind that I was not one bit better than the meanest on the earth. I said then and I say now, that while there is a lower class, I am in it; while there is a criminal element, I am of it; while there is a soul in prison, I am not free.” Eugene V. Debs

    While I can appreciate that every member in a community can have value, I’m with David H on this that some people cause more detriment to a community than add value. Look at YouTube – that video shows the power and potential that the community there offers. Then look at some of the comments and see that there are people who just want to be negative and destructive. Iknow some of us here were part of web communities that we enjoyed but were ultimately driven out of because of members who were more concerned with their own interests and opinions and needs regardless of how that effected the commuity as a whole.

    I think that a community is most inspiring when the members all agree to a standard that is uncompromising. Like us, where we exert pressure (in a kind way) for members to challenge their thinking and be rational in their arguments. We can be funny also, vent emotionally and talk about ice cream a lot, but we (i believe) demand the community respect each other. People conform because they want to remain part of this community… which sounds so clinical… and I think I’ve lost the train of thought…

    Also, we just don’t want to be alone. Person + person + person = community= not alone

  • Kyle

    When I think of a community, I think of an ant colony. Every individual working as one to achieve a single purpose. Of course, if we’re going with my ant analogy that would make you the Queen; I’m sure you won’t have a problem with that. :D

  • Scott

    I want to first say I laughed at the typo on ‘assets’. In a good way!

    The journey. I always felt like I had a grand destiny. After the events that have taken place in my life, it gave me this overwhelming feeling that it was preparing me for something, a role beyond the ‘ordinary’. Earlier this year, I had a soul shock that made me realize a lot of things about me, one of which is: no matter what we do, it’s part of the journey. I heard that from one of my online friends.

    One of my personal life events made me realize that every life matters. That event was the single reason I would never commit suicide (at the time, in my teens, I was experiencing a deluge of suicidal thoughts).

    I still fell, however, lately, that an important part of my soul has been cut out.

    I love the idea of building such a community. One of my favorite video games, Suikoden V, includes a similar feel (though I must warn, that these people gather as an effort to fight against an enemy army that has taken control of the country’s capital; essentially its own force led by one of the royal family’s own). Yet at the same time, I must state that there is a challenge to it. Some of us are damaged and broken to a point where it would take a very long time to feel the true spirit of such a community, and join it with our hearts as well as our minds. A genuine healing of the heart is needed for them.

    That was a beautiful video, by the way. I loved every second of it. I hope whoever made it knows that it’s touched at least one more person.

  • Aysha

    Dearest Allison,

    As many have stated in their own beautiful voices, I am honored and blessed to be a part of this community that you have created, Allison. Never have I felt more inspired and enlightened after involving myself in a community than I have here. So, I thank all of you for that.

    I enjoy reading everybody’s viewpoints on various topics because it helps broaden my perspective on these issues.

    Who would have thought that something called the “internet” would enable us to connect spiritually with people from the other side of the world?

    We all like to be part of groups and humans have the innate tendency to be part of a group. Although our roles might change from one group to another, we still have the sense that we are part of something bigger in the end.

    To me, the purpose of a community is to bring out the best in each member of the community by helping each other out. We all have different qualities that make us special and to be able to have a community to help us see that is absolutely beautiful.

    I don’t have any concrete ideas at the moment as to where our community might venture next and what goals we might set for ourselves, but that is not to say that I would not be a part of that journey.

    Thank you for this gift, Allison. We all needed someone like you to stir things up and start up something new that has touched us at the core of our being. You’re an incredible young woman.

    With All My Heart,
    Aysha

    P.S. On a sidenote, David, I hope that your surgery went well and that your retina feels happier than it’s ever been! :-)

  • http://www.daybow.com David Hayes

    Thanks Aysha,

    The next surgery is in about 8 hours and I’ve had enough practice by now that it should go pretty smoothly. I should be up and able to start training for the Allison Mack Community Bobsled Team in no time!

  • Aysha

    Scott: “Yet at the same time, I must state that there is a challenge to it. Some of us are damaged and broken to a point where it would take a very long time to feel the true spirit of such a community, and join it with our hearts as well as our minds. A genuine healing of the heart is needed for them.”

    Scott, I agree with you. Although it is unfortunate that some are so broken that they feel they can’t possibly connect with others, having the feeling of belonging in my opinion is one of the best antidotes to despair.

  • Aysha

    LOL David! Glad to know that you are up for the job!

  • http://www.chloesullivansite.com/ Bouroux

    Hi Allison.

    “I see how I seek to create it everywhere. I am naturally inclined to bring people together and share and express the things I love and the things that interest and excite me.”
    This is the kind of community that interests me.
    A community which is made up of normal people who live like me and are well integrated into society. The purpose of the community is to share our life experiences, our joys, our sorrows, our favorite …
    “Every person in a community is valuable”
    I agree and interactions between members are desirable.

    I dont see me in a community of “mother Theresa” who would convince me to give them all my money for their works.
    I dont see me in a community of psychologists and other scientists who would convince me that their vision of humanity is the best.
    It is the community that must adapt to its members. If members are subjected to brainwashing to be part of it, it’s not a community.
    The wealth of a community is diversity. We must avoid that everyone trying to immitis and think as the leader of the group.
    The community must help us to integrate the society and not to quit.

    Allison, your passion to communicate is contagious.
    The next step could be interaction.
    Whith the youtube, The bloggers could ask you questions about your recent blogs with videoresponse and you answer in a videoblog. We could all see the person asking the question.
    That would be fabulous.

    Good night .
    Claude.

  • http://www.chloesullivansite.com/ Bouroux

    Hi David.
    I am saddened to learn that you must undergo another surgery.
    My thoughts are with you. Your contribution in blogs is unbelievable and I am amazed at what you do.
    Good luck.

    Claude.

  • Scott

    Aysha: that is true, but I must state that for some, it’s a huge step to become receptive enough to build that sense of belonging. It’s a mixed boon and bane; it allows those people to spot the discrepancies in some beliefs more easily, but they also lose that feeling of deep connection.

    There are also some that you would need to understand need time to a gradual progression toward openness and love. I don’t know if it would still happen to me because it’s been about five years since, but there was one time where for approximately an hour (I would guesstimate), I was the center of attention in that positive sense. During that time, I had so much positive response that it overloaded me. My whole body ached, I was literally shaking from it. It opened my eyes to the fact that there really CAN be too much of a good thing.

    I’ve obviously gotten better since then.

  • Aysha

    Certainly, Scott – it takes a huge amount of courage to embrace love from a group of people or even from an individual. To open oneself up requires one to be vulnerable.

    Being the center of attention certainly makes one feel vulnerable! I would probably react the same way as well.

    Glad you have warmed up to the idea of being in the spotlight!

  • Scott

    I had a few more things I could say, but I started to feel like maybe saying too much more would be rude and self-centered. I’ll just say that I haven’t warmed up to being in the spotlight, I’m pretty sure I’m where I’ve been for the past 4-5 years of my life, but as a person in general I’ve gotten better in that time.

  • http://www.daybow.com David Hayes

    Thanks Bouroux,

    You might want to have your eyes checked as well. One possible cause of the detachment was my CEMK (Close Encounter of the Mackular Kind). The doctor said I should never have looked directly at someone as brilliant as Allison from so close a distance without adequate eye protection. Had she smiled, I might have lost my vision entirely. He suggested something about having my back to her and looking through a piece of black construction paper with a pin hole in it. I didn’t quite understand because he as sticking a needle in my face as he explained it all. He said something about a star that could never be eclipsed.

  • http://www.myspace.com/analfabeta Gnome

    Hey David Hayes,
    Your optimism still amazes me!

    About the topic…
    We, in Rio de Janeiro, could experience this community sense some weeks ago, during our Mayor election.

    One candidate managed more than 8,000 volunteers for his campaign. His ideas and purposes motivated and inspired many.

    Those 8,000 people, just decided to go on a blood donation, wearing green, trying to make some difference on this campaing.

    For the first time, in several years, I was able to believe that we could make some difference when we come together to fight for something that we want.

    The power of WE.

    We didnt manage to win that battle, but it was our first step. First time people were not ashamed to show, on public, their beliefs and first time that we recognize, on practical, that one good, simple and generous action is contagious and it multiplies itself.

    Here I am believing again!!

  • Lydia

    I used to feel embarrassed about the things that I love (music, books, art, theatre, movies, jewelry, makeup,…) and afraid to open up (about life, self-exploration,…), I really felt lonely, lost and confused. I used to feel unsignificant and I had a very low self-esteem.

    That has changed for the better. My role models (like you :-) ) are a real source of inspiration and they’ve helped me become my own person. I’ve become a much stronger, happier and determined woman and I continue to grow.

    I’ve learned that being inspired and having role models is okay but, that it’s very important not wanting to become that other person but, striving to become your own person.

    To people going through what I’ve gone through, I would say ‘Feel inspired and create your own life, listen to your heart and inner voice and embrace who you are.’

  • Dick B

    I’m in.

  • Jennifer

    Hey Allison great blog! I would love to join and help you build a community. <3

    Hope you had a fun Halloween.

  • Stephen K

    ” “Every person in a community is valuable.” ”

    “check and agree”

    taylor nikole,

    So a thief, murderer or rapist is a valuable person? In what way do you judge them to be valuable?

    If you believe in equality does that mean that they are as valuable as a non thief, non murderer or non rapist?
    Steve K

  • http://2witches.com/blog/ Mama Kelly

    Each of us is part of so many communities. The community of our family, our neighborhood, our nation, the world as a whole. My fellow bloggers also represent a community of which I am a part.

    I look forward each day to walking around the neighborhood represented by the blogs I follow, the ones I wander in to, and the opportunity that each of them gives me to for a moment connect to another person.

    Blessings

  • Nobody

    I haven’t read every one’s comment’s yet but the library is about to close. I don’t have internet so come to the libray. Anywho I have always thought the best way to help humanity would be for all cultures to understand one
    another. Not meaning that they had to beleive in their thoughts/ideas but just to understand and respect what they do beleive in or how they live.

    Back when I did have internet I downloaded TV shows from Canada and Britain. I watch Regenesis, Doctor Who, Life on Mars before they either came to the States or were made/revamped here.
    As well as shows like Tourchwood and Primeval.

    One time I actually had an episode of downloaded and watched by 6 P.M. central time the day it aired.

    Any way the point I am getting to is I have thought that the one way for cultures to undestand one another is to actually see what they find interesting. I think it would be great to see a show from say Russia,India, or any other country(as long as it was subtitled). Not only would it convey what is important to them, but you would also get to see what other parts of the world looks like.

    I have been in the Navy. Was in the first Gulf War. I have been to the Phillipines,Australia, and Singapore. Some of the rules/laws of the land are different. Not sure what country it was (or if it was one I was in) but if you were arrested for public intoxication you were escorted out of town(can’t remember if it was 10 or 20 miles) and were required to walk back into town. And there was alot of rules in Singapore. $200 fine for not flushing a public toilet. Needless to say that was the cleanest plave I have seen.

    I would also like to add they I may not always speak up but I do when I feel like it. Plus It’s a long walk down here.HA

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