Thinking in community systems

Community can be a bit fluffy. A bit intangible. A bit directionless at times. We can believe in something, yet actioning it into reality is a whole other story.

This year I've learned we can do better. We can be more focused. We can double down on what matters. We can focus on action, processes, following through and being inspired by the possibilities.

We can create transformation and change. We can naturally uplift people. We can redefine the rules. We can decide things weren't good enough. We can accept that opportunities were missed.

We can re-evaluate the ecosystem and make new discoveries. We can decide we or others didn't get it right. We can appreciate the complexity of humanity and the tasks we are assigned. We can come to realize it can involve both the amazing and the terrible.

When we dive into community it looks and sounds easy. It lacks clarity and it is then up to us to define it. We have opportunity to create better. To see it as a system, that is naturally complicated. To become an expert of a community system is hard.

When we create a community, people take advantage, or lack understanding. Or maybe they don't value the heart of what has gone into it. Or they don't have the capacity to give right now. Or they create harm. Or they act in self-interest. Or they complain without understanding the consequences of who they can harm. Sometimes intentionally, sometimes they just lack awareness. They don't see what we see. They don't pay attention to the system as a whole, they shouldn't have to. That's our role.