how-can-you-redefine-community http://www.v2v.net/actions/how-can-you-redefine-community/conversation/rss How can you "Redefine Community"? en-US http://backend.userland.com/rss 60 Daniel Gomma de Azevedo says: http://www.v2v.net/actions/how-can-you-redefine-community/conversation/rss#conversation1685 Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:22:05 -0700 1685@http://www.v2v.net/actions Some time ago I heard a parable that goes sort of like this: A farmer lived humbly in the country side with his family. The only horse they had decided to leave. The following morning the local community showed up, "But neighbor, what a calamity! Your only horse fled and now you are empty-handed." He replied, "If it's a calamity or not, I don't know - I had a horse, now I don't." Several days later, the very horse stampeded back followed by 20 others. "Neighbor, the heavens must be favoring you. You had a horse and now you have 21!" "If there is favor on my side or not, I don't know - I had one, now there are 21 of them." His only son was taming the horses and fell, breaking a leg. "Dear neighbor, what a misfortune. Your son was healthy and now broken-legged." "A misfortune or not, I do not know. He was healthy, now he's not." A couple weeks later a (lost) war broke out and the kid was not subject to the draft.  "Neighbor, what a windfall..." And on it goes. Thanks for bearing with me. Although the community described here can be way more 'participative' than what we might see (or even want) in our so called western world, its core dynamics is drawn from a concept where there is a deeper level of interdependence in its backdrop. I appreciate how the farmer doesn't need to concur with the community, but rather permits the mystery of it all in its undertaking. I also appreciate that somehow, he's still part of the community. I wish I could hear him more... : ) What is your community like, what do you appreciate about it and what do you wish could be reconsidered? Some time ago I heard a parable that goes sort of like this:
A farmer lived humbly in the country side with his family. The only horse they had decided to leave. The following morning the local community showed up, "But neighbor, what a calamity! Your only horse fled and now you are empty-handed." He replied, "If it's a calamity or not, I don't know - I had a horse, now I don't." Several days later, the very horse stampeded back followed by 20 others. "Neighbor, the heavens must be favoring you. You had a horse and now you have 21!" "If there is favor on my side or not, I don't know - I had one, now there are 21 of them." His only son was taming the horses and fell, breaking a leg. "Dear neighbor, what a misfortune. Your son was healthy and now broken-legged." "A misfortune or not, I do not know. He was healthy, now he's not." A couple weeks later a (lost) war broke out and the kid was not subject to the draft.  "Neighbor, what a windfall..." And on it goes.

Thanks for bearing with me. Although the community described here can be way more 'participative' than what we might see (or even want) in our so called western world, its core dynamics is drawn from a concept where there is a deeper level of interdependence in its backdrop. I appreciate how the farmer doesn't need to concur with the community, but rather permits the mystery of it all in its undertaking. I also appreciate that somehow, he's still part of the community. I wish I could hear him more... : )

 What is your community like, what do you appreciate about it and what do you wish could be reconsidered?

]]> ken rice says: http://www.v2v.net/actions/how-can-you-redefine-community/conversation/rss#conversation1100 Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:31:51 -0700 1100@http://www.v2v.net/actions communities grow, our actions are multiplied, and energy increases.   Nancy Richardson says: http://www.v2v.net/actions/how-can-you-redefine-community/conversation/rss#conversation1060 Sat, 07 Jun 2008 21:05:27 -0700 1060@http://www.v2v.net/actions Hi there...in reading all of your comments, I think this concept of community is so interesting.    Each individual defines community in ways that are meaningful to each of us based on our unique set of skills, interests, and passions.  community is so interesting.    Each individual defines community in ways that are meaningful to each of us based on our unique set of skills, interests, and passions.  ]]> Janet Siebal says: http://www.v2v.net/actions/how-can-you-redefine-community/conversation/rss#conversation996 Wed, 04 Jun 2008 01:59:20 -0700 996@http://www.v2v.net/actions Pardon me for coming to this conversation days late, but what an interesting discussion!    I value celebrating disparateness.  There are so many choices and ways to live--and I don't want to allow fear of the unknown to cause me to constrict.  I believe that comparisons between ourselves undermine unique gifts that we each bring to a community.  Comparative "standards" of being--whether implied or overtly stated-- are circumstances of which, when I'm aware of them, I tend to quietly bypass.   Otherwise, I'll feel hemmed-in and like I can't breathe.   How does a community negotiate in the midst of so much disparateness?   What is my tolerance for lengthy discussion before we decide as a community on a common, immediate goal and plan of action (if necessary)?   Because I also like decisiveness in a community, too.  Pardon me for coming to this conversation days late, but what an interesting discussion!    I value celebrating disparateness.  There are so many choices and ways to live--and I don't want to allow fear of the unknown to cause me to constrict.  I believe that comparisons between ourselves undermine unique gifts that we each bring to a community.  Comparative "standards" of being--whether implied or overtly stated-- are circumstances of which, when I'm aware of them, I tend to quietly bypass.   Otherwise, I'll feel hemmed-in and like I can't breathe.   

How does a community negotiate in the midst of so much disparateness?   What is my tolerance for lengthy discussion before we decide as a community on a common, immediate goal and plan of action (if necessary)?   Because I also like decisiveness in a community, too. 

]]> Daniel Gomma de Azevedo says: http://www.v2v.net/actions/how-can-you-redefine-community/conversation/rss#conversation925 Thu, 29 May 2008 06:17:25 -0700 925@http://www.v2v.net/actions I like what you wrote, Owen. I would only reconsider the 'as opposed to'. You see, as tautological as it may sound, 'united community' is a valid statement in our current scenario. The beauty of it all is exactly that you, Alexandra, Marianna, Ken and I are disparate, in the sense that we are absolutely incomparable - no matter how much the educational system (home included in most cases) has attempted to convince us of our comparability as we were put 'against' one another while being evaluated. Incomparable - that's what we are. And when we do permit ourselves to be compared with one another, that's when we loose the beauty of uniqueness. Homogenizing wreaks havoc in a community. Celebrating our differences would lead us to appreciate our disparateness, while pursuing unity together (literally, comm-unity).  Owen Smith says: http://www.v2v.net/actions/how-can-you-redefine-community/conversation/rss#conversation907 Tue, 27 May 2008 21:16:10 -0700 907@http://www.v2v.net/actions Daniel -- That's deep, man.  I'm sincerely impressed by your analysis.  Is it a fair translation of your comment below to say, "In taking the time and effort to redefine our community, we embrace the concept that we are in fact a united community, as opposed to disparate individuals"?   Daniel -- That's deep, man.  

I'm sincerely impressed by your analysis.  Is it a fair translation of your comment below to say, "In taking the time and effort to redefine our community, we embrace the concept that we are in fact a united community, as opposed to disparate individuals"?

 

]]> Daniel Gomma de Azevedo says: http://www.v2v.net/actions/how-can-you-redefine-community/conversation/rss#conversation897 Tue, 27 May 2008 13:04:36 -0700 897@http://www.v2v.net/actions I believe it's interesting how we can be caught on a slight awkwardness when trying to pinpoint both community and its redefinition. It's also true that we're in the midst of what can become an epicenter of relational transformation as we connect/reconnect through V2V platforms - a genuine redemption of technology. As I read the themes of perennial redefinition as we grow from infancy into adulthood, I cant help but agree with Eugen Rosenstock-Huessy, when he states that the process of naming is always undertaken in the midst of relationships. Renaming is not an exception to his maxim. As we relate we permit others to rename us, and therefore, reciprocally rename others. Renaming is not the focus, but rather the consequence of relating, Redefining community could be a powerful result of our genuine endeavors towards transformation, reconnection and rediscovery of our relational, corporate selves. Owen Smith says: http://www.v2v.net/actions/how-can-you-redefine-community/conversation/rss#conversation881 Mon, 26 May 2008 15:02:39 -0700 881@http://www.v2v.net/actions I just want to say that Alexandra's words really resonated with me.The last sentence captured me the most.  "It is just as amazing to impact the community and be the only person to know about it."  With all the news and information thrown at us every minute of every day in this modern/digital/connected era we often forget that for every single event that makes the headlines, there are thousands of stories that will never be told.  For every extraordinary heart-warming human interest story that we read/see/hear about in the newspaper/blog/tv/radio, there are countless small, hidden acts of simple compassion and kindness by ordinary folks.  These little actions knit our community together in ways that governments/corporations/formal organizations cannot.  Combined, these actions are a powerful underlying force that drives the greater system; they are like the jetstream of our global weather system, or the deep currents of the global oceans known as the great ocean conveyor.  Unseen but vital.Redefine community through the things that you do - both see and unseen.  Know that your little actions are matched by others.  The combined result may not be immediately visible or feed the need for instant gratification, like a front page news story.  It will be sublte and massive, like tectonic plates shifting continents over time.  Believe. I just want to say that Alexandra's words really resonated with me.

The last sentence captured me the most.  "It is just as amazing to impact the community and be the only person to know about it." 

With all the news and information thrown at us every minute of every day in this modern/digital/connected era we often forget that for every single event that makes the headlines, there are thousands of stories that will never be told.  For every extraordinary heart-warming human interest story that we read/see/hear about in the newspaper/blog/tv/radio, there are countless small, hidden acts of simple compassion and kindness by ordinary folks.  These little actions knit our community together in ways that governments/corporations/formal organizations cannot.  Combined, these actions are a powerful underlying force that drives the greater system; they are like the jetstream of our global weather system, or the deep currents of the global oceans known as the great ocean conveyor.  Unseen but vital.

Redefine community through the things that you do - both see and unseen.  Know that your little actions are matched by others.  The combined result may not be immediately visible or feed the need for instant gratification, like a front page news story.  It will be sublte and massive, like tectonic plates shifting continents over time.  Believe.

]]> Peter Johnson says: http://www.v2v.net/actions/how-can-you-redefine-community/conversation/rss#conversation868 Fri, 23 May 2008 10:31:55 -0700 868@http://www.v2v.net/actions The direction in which our community changes all depends on individual and group decisions we make on a daily basis.  Individual decisions effect the group direction and the group decisions effect the individual's direction...which all leed to consequence...keep thinking about this one! Alexandra Blake says: http://www.v2v.net/actions/how-can-you-redefine-community/conversation/rss#conversation795 Thu, 15 May 2008 20:16:40 -0700 795@http://www.v2v.net/actions  I think as young children we redefine ourselves daily as we grow.  It is recognized, even encouraged that we do that as children, adolesents and young adults.  I don't think that we ever stop redefining ourselves nor should we. To me our community is the same way.  It is always changing, sometimes for better and sometimes for worse.  I think that we are responsible for that change. Responsible, as individuals and as a whole.  It is my hope that daily I impact my community, whether it is giving someone a smile, holding the door for someone or picking up some litter.  Really those are just small ways, in my eyes. To the man that you held the door for and gave a smile, it could have been the grandest gesture he received all day long.  Sometimes we see how we change community instantly.  Others times we just be the best we can be and hope to impact the community in some small way.  Its amazing knowing how you have helped the community and being acknowledged for it.  It is just as amazing to impact the community and be the only person to know about it.  I think as young children we redefine ourselves daily as we grow.  It is recognized, even encouraged that we do that as children, adolesents and young adults.  I don't think that we ever stop redefining ourselves nor should we.

 To me our community is the same way.  It is always changing, sometimes for better and sometimes for worse.  I think that we are responsible for that change. Responsible, as individuals and as a whole.  It is my hope that daily I impact my community, whether it is giving someone a smile, holding the door for someone or picking up some litter.  Really those are just small ways, in my eyes. To the man that you held the door for and gave a smile, it could have been the grandest gesture he received all day long.

 Sometimes we see how we change community instantly.  Others times we just be the best we can be and hope to impact the community in some small way.  Its amazing knowing how you have helped the community and being acknowledged for it.  It is just as amazing to impact the community and be the only person to know about it.

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