In and through community lies the salvation of the world. Nothing is more important. Yet it is virtually impossible to describe community to someone that has not experienced it - and most of us have never had an experience of true community. Community is a group of individuals who have learned how to communicate honestly with each other, whose relationships go deeper than their masks of composure and who have developed some significant commitment to rejoice together, mourn together, to delight in each other and make other's conditions their own!

Doctor M. Scott Peck – Author : “A different Drum” and “The Road Less Traveled” series.

Friends.

Traditional time management is focused on achieving, accomplishing, getting what you want, not letting anything get in the way. Other people are essentially seen as resources to get more done, faster or perhaps as obstacles or  even interruptions.   Relationships are transactional.   In this way of thinking, we give something to get something in return    ( barter )   Yet most of the greatest achievements and the deepest joys in life have been through relationships that are not transactional at all; but transformational. In the very nature of the interaction people are changed, they are altered. They are transformed. Something new is created and neither person is controlling it or even anticipated it and it isn’t due to efficiently. It comes from exchange of understanding and all the new learning   -   You can have relationships with people that   transform you.

In the absence of real self awareness many of us simply never confront the critical issues of life.  Instead of looking for deep chronic causes we look to quick fix, band aid and aspirin   approaches to treating the immediate pain.   Then we are fortified by a temporary relief ;  we return to the way that didn’t work in the first place,  determined that it will work this time for some reason

Dr. Stephen R. Covey : Author:  “First things First.”

Community is a topic of special interest for me. I first found out about community listening to Scott Peck's book "The Different Drum". The best seller is about community and what it takes to build it. Dr. Peck explains the difference between community and the 1960's commune thing. Community requires a spiritual component. It requires that we withhold judgment of others and focus on our own barriers to the love of God. Yeah it's a spiritual ( not a religious thing ) I just personally believe that people are vastly better off in a supportive relationship with a group of people that they care about. Sort of sounds like a family doesn't it. I guess for me I'm talking about a family of choice.

Community does have some drawbacks......you can't be self-centered, undisciplined or judgmental....I know, what a bitch!!!