This is dedicated to my family and best friends, Dariana and Victoria, for always pushing me to be a better person, and always pulling me out of my darkest moments back into your warm light.
Why are communities so prominent and influential in our lives? Ever since we were small, we have been influenced by the media on the importance of family and friendship. In movies, we saw how families support each other through any adversity, be it big or small. We also saw how friends became closer than family and served as support when life goes wrong. Hence, why is having a community such a fundamental part of growing up? Is it a pack mentality? A way to not be alone? I propose that connection is one of the fundamental needs besides food, shelter, and water.
Let’s start with the definition of community. A community is a group of people that share a common interest, belief, or goal. What characterizes it is the sense of connection and trust. Communities, or villages, are built on active communication and shared experiences. The beauty of it is that it doesn’t have to be only family, friends, coworkers, classmates, or acquaintances separately. A village can be a mix of all of the above.
Having talked about communities, how do they benefit us so much that it saves lives? According to the CDC, a community has health benefits such as lowering risks of chronic illnesses and improving quality of life. A good village helps you stand up for yourself and loves our essence, something that could help you withstand the lowest of moments. A community is like being an acrobat with a safety net beneath you. It helps you be independent and blossom, while knowing that you have a safety net to fall on if something brings you down. A village pushes you to be better, to overcome obstacles, and to become that version of yourself you always sought out to be. They seek the best for you, but also want to help you stay afloat. A good community could be away for months, yet stay connected. They know when you need to be heard or helped. They understand when you can’t ask for help, and still offer it to ensure you will overcome whatever you face. They ask about you and make you feel seen, heard, and felt.
A community helps keep you grounded and attached to the people within it. They look out for each other even if you’re incapable of it. By saving lives, I literally mean saving lives by being present. Mental illnesses, such as depression, are silent killers due to a lack of an aware village. A caring community would listen or show up to help, and keep you moving forward as they share the load until you’re ready to try again. However, no matter how present our community tries to be, all of their effort sums to nothing if we don’t ask for help. Asking for help is not a bad thing; neither is depending on your community to shoulder some of your burdens so you may rise again. The importance of a good village cannot be emphasized enough, because it’s the difference between having a place to turn to in your darkest and lowest moments. Not relying on our communities can mean facing all of it alone and risk being consumed by it. Recent events, like the pandemic and social distancing, forcibly demonstrated that physical disconnection is not a small issue, but rather a grave risk to our emotional stability. Lockdown reminded us that communities are vital to a fulfilled life.
From personal experience, having a good community can even help you grow as a person. If it were not for my family pushing me to be better and offering an understanding ear, I wouldn’t have made it into my degrees and career. If it were not for my friends, I wouldn’t have another branch of my village that, every day, helps me go on new adventures, conquer fears, and helps me bloom into a more social and confident person today. I implore everyone to go out and find that community that helps you reach new heights, be it your family, friends, or anyone you deem special enough to be a part of your life.