Somedays it is hard to tell if they are growing pains or growing pleasants but I’m going to focus on the latter today. We’ve seen some lovely developments of character, community, and focus happening inspiring us to be able to move forward.
We did some amazing networking last week with a group who understand the need for small community development, and by that, we all understood to mean in relation. Community, for some, is just a group of people who live in a similar place, who pay taxes in the same town and have a say in the way they prefer their side of the street, or school, or downtown. But a community is a reciprocal relationship where people listen to each other’s values and try to come to not just an understanding but a place which supports each other (provided those values are safe for all). A community shows up for each other. A community communicates. They commune.
They share resources and knowledge, time and energy. We like that. And we very much appreciate it when we can access it. It uplifts everyone. Why wouldn’t you want that?
I think in some facets, the pandemic broke people’s spirits and ability to be there for each other. There seems to be a blind spot added to the struggles we already faced in taking care of underrepresented folks, now it is almost harder to get people to show up for each other. People are scared, people are wary. We very much want to create space and time and energy for folks to show up for each other.
Our membership program proves to us that people are willing to commit to show up for each other. Some people still feel the ability, they are able to make it happen — others need some time, or care, or to know that is ok, and that there is a place for them. Our alliances with such groups as the Hallowell Pride Alliance, The Good Life Center, the Wabanaki Mobile Food Pantry, and especially all of our small press publishers, authors, artists, farmers, and small food makers make us better because they are in a relation with us. And not just a retail relation — we know each other by name, we talk about our kids, we help each other out and support our struggles, we promote and protect our people. We look forward to more partnerships and relations.
Because in every facet of our lives, we don’t do it alone. We are not self-sufficient, in any way. We depend on friends, family, our neighborhoods, the farmers, the people at the grocery store, the microbiome in our bodies, the water in the air and ground, and the affective life we lead influencing our every decision and ability to survive. We are never alone, even when we feel that we are — it is impossible. However, how we choose to focus on the positive aspects of our belonging is key also to our survival and ability to thrive. Let me say it again — we are not self-sufficient. We need each other.
And it is so wonderful when you meet folks that understand and promote that. We thank you. We appreciate you so much. And we look forward to doing many fun things and important work with you.
Rock Bottom Homestead 