In yesterday's post, I had a short list of ways I'm going to allow myself to blossom this coming year. The last point, on
growing in community, is a sticking point for me. My introverted, occasionally
shy nature doesn't easily translate to community- and friendship-building. I am
far too comfortable at home alone with my kids.
It's destroying me.
I know it. And I'm
admitting it here because I need to make myself accountable.
I believe strongly that we are meant to live in community with one another. It isn't only that we are social animals: I believe that Jesus Christ calls us to live in community. But that's easier said than done in an age of nuclear families and single-family dwellings. The fact is that if I am going to exist in community - if my family is going to live in community with other families - we will need to be inventive. Or, perhaps not inventive, but retrospective. Community is hardly a new idea. We don't need to invent ways of living in community, only re-imagine the manner of its expression and the form of its experience.
I read this last week and I'll be re-reading it for the
next few months. It is time to embrace community, to allow myself to grow with
others, to express and experience greater love and encouragement. It is time to
make - and be - friends, not just occasionally but with regularity and in
commonplace and reliable ways.
My photo project for this year, self|52 is part photographic exercise, part impetus to become more in tune with my identity. The upshot is, I need to become more comfortable with others and more comfortable with myself. And I'm already finding myself occasionally struggling with my role and function in our family...
It sort of begs the question: who am I comfortable around? Is there anyone?
It's two sides of the same coin. How can I be comfortable in community, in authentic, genuine, sincere, open-hearted, loving relationship with others if I'm not sure of who I am, or at least, confident that I am expressing myself honestly?
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I think about the term "selfless". We - particularly we in the church - use this word as though it is a good thing. It's good to be totally without self.
No way. I cannot buy that. Giving of self: yes. Willing and able to pour ourselves into serving others: absolutely. Accepting of the will of God to direct our lives, to inform ourselves: without question. But selfless? No.
Who am I, if not a child of God? Am I really so presumptuous as to say that the person, the individual, unique and blessed, that She created in crafting this soul is so worthless that I can cast it aside and be 'selfless'? No.
Luke 10:27(b) reads: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ Until earlier this year, I had always interpreted these words only as an exhortation to treat others well. But in February I realized that such a reading is unnecessarily limited.
If Jesus loves me, shouldn't I love me, too?
And if I'm lovable, shouldn't I share myself with others? Shouldn't I share my life and my thoughts and my love and my passion and my realness with other living, thinking, loving, passionate, real people? Shouldn't I welcome them and welcome the opportunity to be with them, to grow with them?
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Isn't it deliciously ironic that I am best able to realize and express the need for community when I'm given time to myself?
Balance.
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I need to exist in relationship with others. Too often I've heard truths about myself - about what and who I am, from the people who surround me, who love me, who see my own realness - which I had not seen before. My first step on this existential journey is to acknowledge that I cannot do this alone. I cannot merely reflect on myself: I need to see myself reflected in the people around me.
It's probably going to be uncomfortable. I'm not just a homebody, I'm actually prone to agoraphobia and anxiety issues. So it's going to be seriously uncomfortable at times. But it needs doing, and I know - without question - that I'll be happier for it.
I'll be interested to see your progress with this. I am, very much like you, most comfortable at home in my own space. Now that I have a baby I know I need to make sure I raise her to be comfortable not only with herself but with the outside world. She needs to not be afraid to walk around and she needs to not think that she sticks out like a sore thumb and that people will instantly think she's some sort of fake for trying to fit in somewhere she "clearly" doesn't belong.
ReplyDeleteFinding a group of people with similar interests is hard when you're afraid people will think you don't belong. I know a lot of it is just anxiety talking (which we all know makes our brain lie to us) but even though I know this I can't help feeling it.
Definitely something to work on this coming year.xo
So.... up for another coffee date then? :-) Would be great to get together somewhere where the kids can play and we can chat!
ReplyDeleteIndeed it is living in alignment with our True Self (who we are at our very core) that leads us to true friends, our true purpose and a fulfilling life. But we need not discover everything at once. Revealing one aspect of your Self to yourself can lead to one new friend. It will build from there.
ReplyDeleteThe airplane adage works well here: you cannot help others until you first don your own oxygen mask.
It is in nurturing our True Self that we gain energy and all that we need to be able to serve others.
Happy to be a part of your community. I have created many great friendships intentionally this past year, each one beginning with a single 'yes' to an opportunity.
xo
Megan: Yes! Part of what is driving me to change/growth is wanting to be a good example and teacher for our girls. It's vital stuff.
ReplyDeleteKelly: Totally! I'm sure there's someplace where the kiddos can run amok while the mums get their chat on. :)
Sheila: <3 Love you! Such wisdom.