“Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing.” -Rollo May

This last week I was graced with some amazing perspective on how important my support system has become in my life.  Over the past several years of trying to truly be a good friend I have received a great number of good friends in return.  There are people in my life today that would stop everything they were doing to help me in any way that I may need.  I believe that came from doing the same for many of them and putting my self interest aside.   It was not some deal of magic or dumb luck that I have true, deep relationships today, it has been the result of practice and persistence.

When we were young it was very easy to make tight friendships just based on the amount of time that was available to cultivate our relationships.  As we get older things get in the way and before we know it our communities shrink down to very small groups.  I don’t believe there is anything wrong with having a tight group but I also can very easily see the benefit of the principle of strength in numbers.

So what is the answer?  I believe the answer is effort and honesty.  I like to trick myself into thinking that I am fully self-sufficient when in actuality I need support and motivation to continue to grow.  When I can honestly say that I need the help of my fellows, I better have some fellows that I can turn to.  That is where the effort comes in, by being a friend I get friends.  By supporting others I have a support group and by listening I give someone a chance to be heard.  I am so grateful for the community that I have seen grow about me over the last several years and I really wish that all of you can experience the same love and support that I feel when I walk out into the world.

Affirmation:  Today I will create the community I crave by seeking out people that will support and inspire me to be the best I can be.

Call to Action: Take some time today to assess the community that surrounds you.  Are you supported?  Are you inspired? Are you motivated to be the best you that you can be?  Is there a place in your community that you can give back and be of service?  If there is a lack in any of these areas?  If so use this week to break through the fear of change and find some of your fellows that are looking for the same things.  I am grateful for the cylfriday community, share how we can help each other to help ourselves.

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