In community, shared ideas are perhaps more important than the relationships made

Continuous Community Clue #033

Maybe in community, we can look beyond the concept of relationships, whilst still valuing them. Maybe community is as much about the ideas and creations whilst observing how they evolve through people and conversations.

We are inspired by everyone and everything around us, whether or not we have a relationship with them. And I get belonging and relationships are important, we can feel connected to people, their contributions and ideas but not actually have any real visible connection or relationship with them.

Infact, much of my work is built upon the ideas surrounded by me. I actually have a very small amount of actual relationships—my life, energy and brain can’t cope with too many. What does have more impact on me are the creations and ideas around me.

Community creates and influences us in so many ways. Many people of these people I will never have a relationship with, though I will be inspired and influenced by their work.

I can talk about people without ever having had contact. I can benefit from other people’s creations without knowing they ever existed. Often they aren’t even a part of the community, it is only their work and ideas that are shared. It still helps form what our community is as we evolve our own community work from the foundations of other people’s work.

Community is an evolution of our spaces where we show up. Some of that involves relationships. Shared ideas, creations and knowledge are another part.

🌈 Continuous Community Clues are brought to you by Rosieland.