THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY

We come from a village. Where community existed in close quarters. The garden was just around the corner and you were surrounded by familiar faces. You could feel the energy. Everyone doing their part. The village created life. It also sustained it. Birthing art and connection and ideas and discussion. The village is where it all started. And yet, we have left it all behind.

THE VILLAGE

As I sit here, on this stool, in this space. I can feel what I see and hear. Faces smiling. Dogs snoozing. Books opening. Discussions unraveling. Coffee dripping. Laptops opening. Ideas unearthing. Connections birthing. It’s beautiful and loud and calming. Like a cup of tea steeping in a cup. Buried under a wool blanket by a crackling fire. It feels… warm. Like I’m being comforted by total strangers in a shared room.

When I got here, a customer (an older gentleman with his dog) opened the door for me and welcomed me to the space. I’ve felt safe ever since. To show up. Write. Observe. Exist.

I’ve been craving this feeling… without knowing it. Like a drug I’ve become dependent on.

I don’t want it to go away. I want to hold on to it for dear life. Before everything crumbles into isolation.

Although that isolation is better known as Modern Advancements. The American Dream. Freedom. Whatever you’d like to call it. Whatever story you’ve been sold.

I can say that because I’ve fallen for it too. We all have, really.

Except for the people in this room. Right here. Right now.

This is The Village. Where we all belong.

D