#13 - October 1, 2023 - Communicating What We Believe

How is community built? Simon Sinek, in one of his speeches, talks about how it is a clearly articulated belief which organizes people around it. When someone has a strongly held belief, rooted in clear values, and it is articulated in such a way that it resonates with others, those others will gravitate towards the message.

In my last entry I mentioned how it is the process of remembering that which we share, that brings people together. That is what a clearly articulated belief does as well. When we hear one from others, it reminds us of something that we already believe in, that we resonate with deep in our bones, and it calls forth this belief or understanding within us.

If we wish to initiate this process, of finding the common ground with others and building community, we must first find the ground within us. The foundation on which our sense of self in this world relies, the values and visions that we hold to be true. We must commune with the core of our being, the source of our beliefs, and then, we must communicate that essence out with the word.

#12 September 25, 2023 - Communication & Finding Common Ground

Communication, community, commune, common. Looking at this family of words reveals something about the nature of communication.

Communication is not just about talking or speaking itself. On one level, it is about sharing ideas. Transmitting  thoughts and feelings through words, but also other forms like body language. And on another level, I would say it goes beyond the sharing of new ideas, and is about remembering that which we already share.

It is about being with another in such a way that a common ground is found, and an understanding takes place.