Over the past five years many issues have divided our town, The George Hotel complex, the Gospel Rock development and the most recent issue social housing and the old RCMP building. These issues have deeply divided our town to such an extent that we have lost our community. There seems to be a lack of common interest, a common shared consensus, instead our town seems to be becoming more polarized as difficult issues confront us. Our community seems to have become hollowed out and fallen back into a tribal level of consciousness of “us versus them”. This situation is not unique to our town, it is a western phenomena driven by corporate capitalism that truly only benefits the 1%.
Community is about mutual concern and mutual interests, inclusive of the concept of mutual aid, a general concern for the welfare of the members of the community based upon the recognition of our inter-dependence. A healthy community creates a sense of security for all, there is a genuine sense of belongingness, regardless of ones socio/economic status.
In a healthy community the individuals place a higher value on the interests of the community than on their own self interest, recognizing that what is best for the community is best for them in the long run. A healthy community has a common purpose, that creates meaning for its members, who are all working together united by common values and beliefs, that benefit everyone. We feel safe and secure, enjoying the benefits of a caring and compassionate community. Imagine the sense of security that develops when the community cares about you as much as you care about it. Imagine the sense of belonging, with the only requirement being that you care.
We have a duty to care for our community and all of its members, without distinction. A healthy community has a heartfelt desire to ensure that none of its members are suffering. It is called compassion, and all that is required to develop compassion is the setting aside of our self-interest for a moment and asking ourselves the most important question of our lives, “What is it about me, that prevents me caring about this person or group of people?” What is it about me that causes this hardness of heart? Perhaps I am wounded to, perhaps I am feeling insecure and threatened just like them, perhaps I feel uncared for and alone, maybe I share with them a sense of alienation and not belonging, why doesn’t anyone ever listen to me?
Loneliness is an epidemic in our society, that can be overcome through compassion and care.
Adequate housing is a right in any caring community. If you fall on hard times, we will care for you, you will be housed, you will be fed. That is our guarantee, don’t we want to be known as a strong caring, safe and secure community?
Self-interest leads to isolation and loneliness and creates insecurity and fear. Compassion creates meaning and purpose, a sense of interconnectedness and is the pathway to peace and true happiness. A community built on compassion creates a deep sense of safety and security for all its members and truly is a joyful place to be.