Building Community

“Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.”

― Albert Camus

“The truth is, everyone is going to hurt you. You just got to find the ones worth suffering for.” 
― Bob Marley

“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.” 
― Henri J.M. Nouwen, Out of Solitude: Three Meditations on the Christian Life

The above are just a number of views that touch on the area of community.

That community is best within a group of equals.

That we all have our story to tell.

That living together brings pain with the pleasure.

That only by walking a mile in anothers shoes can we fully feel.

That to be truely heard and totally seen in our time of suffering.

Is often more important than removing that hurt.

“I think if I've learned anything about friendship, it's to hang in, stay connected, fight for them, and let them fight for you. Don't walk away, don't be distracted, don't be too busy or tired, don't take them for granted. Friends are part of the glue that holds life and faith together. Powerful stuff.” 
― Jon Katz