When you think of the word Community, what comes to your mind?

For me personally, I see community based upon three pillars: Ownership, Participation and Responsibility. In a community, all three of these "pillars" support community in one way or another; if one is lacking, the community will start to crumble. You, as an individual in a community, must take ownership for your part in the group. We all have unique gifts to add to the community around us, but when we don't tap into our gifts and shy away, we aren't fully taking ownership for our role. When participating in community and contributing to the needs of others in the group, let your love be genuine and authentic. You need to be fully in, or fully out. Our responsibility in a community is to be our authentic selves that show generosity, are forgiving, show humility, and compassion, just to name a few; we have a responsibility to care for the community around us. When you are fully taking ownership for your part, participating by contributing your talents and gifts for the betterment of those around you, and you take responsibility by being consistent and authentic, then you will see the fruits of your commitment come to fruition. Those around you will surround you with the same care and concern; we are not meant to live alone, we were meant to live in fellowship with those around us. Often, new beginnings start in community.

With this mentality in mind, live in a "open-handed" community. In an "open-handed" community, we belong to each other, we are gifted for each other, we care for each other, we love each other, we accept each other, we spur on each other, we share with each other, we rejoice with each other and we weep with each other. This is what living in community is like. Find a community that fills you mentally, physically and spiritually; living in community means you're not living life alone. It takes hard work, and there's times that it won't seem worth it, but in the long run, you'll be better for it. Choose Community.