Founders Note: Today on the blog we have are monthly contributor Kiki! She is sharing her heart on this month's theme community. To find out more about Kiki and her beautiful blog check out her bio on the about page!
What is community, anyway? If you had asked me that very question a few years ago, I wouldn't have known how to answer that question. But ever since I started my personal blog and joined the blogging community, I don't even know where to start with that question. While there are thousands (if not millions) of blogs out there, there are also very real, very tight-knit, loving communities, too. Communities that are growing, thriving, and doing so much more than what you see on your computer screen.
So how does one get involved in a community? As an introvert, that's something I'm hoping to learn myself. But as a writer, photographer, and blogger, I've learned a few ways that have helped me create and be a part of a community of bloggers, creatives, and fellow Jesus followers, too.
1. SPEAK UP. I am incredibly shy, but one of the things I try to push myself to do is put myself out there. People won't know who you are if you don't speak up. Easier said than done, right? One of the many quotes I tell myself is that people relate to and love honesty and openness. If I want people to feel welcome, I need to share MY story.
2. LOVE. Smiley faces may be annoying to some, but to me, they scream friendliness. Respond to comments, pray for others, and just be there, even if it is through a tweet or Instagram like. We all need love, right?
3. LISTEN AND BE PRESENT. It's easy to get caught up in statistics and numbers. But when it all comes down to it, we need each other. We need listening ears. We need blog dates and hugs. We need to feel known.
4. LOOK TO THE BEST COMMUNITY-BUILDER OUT THERE. Jesus not only spoke, taught, and performed miracles, but He created a community, too. If you ask me, a community is a place where people feel welcome, and Jesus does all of that and more. He really and truly is our best example!
So what does community mean to you? What are your tips for building and joining a community?
What is community, anyway? If you had asked me that very question a few years ago, I wouldn't have known how to answer that question. But ever since I started my personal blog and joined the blogging community, I don't even know where to start with that question. While there are thousands (if not millions) of blogs out there, there are also very real, very tight-knit, loving communities, too. Communities that are growing, thriving, and doing so much more than what you see on your computer screen.
So how does one get involved in a community? As an introvert, that's something I'm hoping to learn myself. But as a writer, photographer, and blogger, I've learned a few ways that have helped me create and be a part of a community of bloggers, creatives, and fellow Jesus followers, too.
1. SPEAK UP. I am incredibly shy, but one of the things I try to push myself to do is put myself out there. People won't know who you are if you don't speak up. Easier said than done, right? One of the many quotes I tell myself is that people relate to and love honesty and openness. If I want people to feel welcome, I need to share MY story.
2. LOVE. Smiley faces may be annoying to some, but to me, they scream friendliness. Respond to comments, pray for others, and just be there, even if it is through a tweet or Instagram like. We all need love, right?
3. LISTEN AND BE PRESENT. It's easy to get caught up in statistics and numbers. But when it all comes down to it, we need each other. We need listening ears. We need blog dates and hugs. We need to feel known.
4. LOOK TO THE BEST COMMUNITY-BUILDER OUT THERE. Jesus not only spoke, taught, and performed miracles, but He created a community, too. If you ask me, a community is a place where people feel welcome, and Jesus does all of that and more. He really and truly is our best example!
So what does community mean to you? What are your tips for building and joining a community?
I think you should always be yourself. Because if you want real community you need real people, in all their fun and mess.
ReplyDeleteListen and be present. Such a good reminder! I love what Meg of Me With The Three said below me, too. "Because if you want real community you need real people, in all their fun and mess."
ReplyDeleteMeg you are so right. Living in true fellowship means taking the good and the bad and helping build others up when they are down.
ReplyDeleteAgreed! I kind of sort of tied that one into the honesty one, but I really wish I had included it as its own separate tip. Real community definitely needs real honest people--messes and all. :)
ReplyDeleteI loved that quote from Meg, too! There is so much truth in there and it's such a great piece of encouragement to just share your heart. :)
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