Notes about Deepening Community: Finding Joy Together in Chaotic Times by Paul Born (via Google Bard)
In his book, Deepening Community: Finding Joy Together in Chaotic Times, Paul Born argues that we need to move beyond shallow and fear-based communities and create deep communities that are based on shared values, trust, and care. He identifies four pillars of deep community:
- Sharing our stories: When we share our stories, we build trust and connection with one another. We learn about each other’s experiences and perspectives, and we come to see each other as whole people.
- Taking the time to enjoy one another: When we take the time to enjoy one another, we create a sense of community and belonging. We laugh together, cry together, and support one another through good times and bad.
- Taking care of one another: When we take care of one another, we show that we value and respect each other. We help each other out when we’re in need, and we celebrate each other’s successes.
- Working together for a better world: When we work together for a better world, we make a difference in the lives of others. We create a more just and equitable society, and we leave the world a better place than we found it.
Born argues that deep community is not something that happens overnight. It takes time, effort, and commitment. But it is worth it. Deep community is essential for our physical and emotional well-being. It is essential for our sense of belonging and purpose. And it is essential for creating a better world.
Here are some additional insights from Born’s book:
- Community is not about homogeneity. It is about diversity. It is about bringing people together from different backgrounds and experiences.
- Community is not about consensus. It is about dialogue. It is about listening to each other and trying to understand each other’s perspectives.
- Community is not about control. It is about empowerment. It is about giving people the power to make decisions about their own lives.
Born’s book is a powerful and inspiring call to action. It challenges us to create deep communities that are based on shared values, trust, and care. It is a book that everyone should read.
[Author’s Note: The above text was AI-generated and may not be accurate. The overarching intent behind this blog post is to provide a starting point for discussions among aspiring community builders. Just as startup founders can benefit from startup oriented content (such as those provided by accelerators and incubators), community builders can benefit from community building oriented content. If you are an aspiring community builder, please contribute to the discussion by commenting on this post]