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| The above picture is my dear friend’s boathouse. I’m visiting them in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, and have known and loved them for many decades. We met in the community I tell you about below. I am an introvert in love with people and community. In my early twenties, I wanted to move to The Farm and birth babies with Ida Mae….at least it was the vision I held in my head. I lived alone and had only read about community, although I grew up with a tribe of neighborhood beach kids, and many of us moved as a single organism in our spare time…to the beach, fort building, and artistic endeavors. When I was thirty, I found my way to an intentional community in Tallahassee, the Miccosukee Land Coop (MLC), where I settled with my then-husband and son. The richness of community life can’t be described in a few sentences. Hundreds of people living in their own homes, sharing a community, pool, common land, food, the joys of birth, and the grief of death. This community lives on, 53 years strong with four generations. It has its challenges, but they are outweighed by the ties of love and the gifts of friendship. It seems that in America, we’re isolating more than we were in the past, and I hope I am wrong. A community of like-minded people is essential, as they provide support, encouragement, and inspiration, fostering personal growth and a sense of belonging. I am in Maine now with my dear friends from MLC; our ages span generations, and our memories weave ornate tapestries. The entire week I’m here, there are nightly gatherings reminding me of the salon days of Anais Nin and Henry Miller. Art is discussed, yet unpublished books are shared, world problems are viewed from a perspective of unity, not division, and new friendships are fostered. Whatever your age, there are like-minded people to seek out. It’s hard to make the time to gather, but it can be done in baby steps. The trials of new motherhood and the perils of aging are softened by wise words and suggestions of those who have experienced what we’re in the midst of. In my book, I discuss what people say at the end of life, and it’s not that they wish they had worked more and accumulated more money. It’s that the time with family and community was the most important and the richest time in their life. It’s always a good time to take our inventory and ask ourselves…what makes me happy, and do I hang out with those who make me feel joy and creativity? What people light up my brain? What people are food for my soul, and I feed their souls? And when you get answers, mentally open to the idea of deeper connections, of communities that spark your creative juices, and spend time cultivating the things that make you deeply happy. Life is short….friends and community make it sweet. Big love to all of you. Thanks so much for being here, e’Layne 1 Practice to Tune into Your Body Tune into your heart. Think about times your heart felt full because of the people you gathered with. Do more of that. 2 Shifts to Observe the Mind…with curiosity and an open heart. What is a small step I can take to connect with a like-minded person or group? Observe yourself in social situations. Do you gravitate to small gatherings or like big social situations? 3 Quotes and a Question to Awaken the Soul “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much” – Helen Keller “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” – African Proverb “Share your ideas with people of like-mind and get motivated by their encouragements and experiences.” ― Israelmore Ayivor And drumroll…the Question What is something you’re doing that you’d like to have more community around – You’re starting a new business, having a baby, want to get healthier, or want to be fed spiritually. Do you know anyone you’d like to spend more time with to offer mutual support? Facebook often has local groups of like-minded people to join…a great way to make lifelong connections. xoxoxo e’ _________________________________________________ If you practice one of my suggestions, please let me know the outcome. If you’ve read my book, I’d love to receive any feedback, and an Amazon review would make my heart sing and help get my book out to more people. Additionally, I’ll be setting up a private Facebook page for students who take my classes, which will be a great place for a “face-to-face” conversation. xoxoxo The easiest way to reach me is artbyelayne@gmail.com. To buy my #1 Amazon Bestselling book, click on the picture of my book below. It has lots of exercises to quiet the mind of the loud-mouthed naysayers. If you’ve purchased my book and haven’t left a review, I would really appreciate it if you would…Amazon puts books in front of more people based on reviews, e’ xooxo |
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