Reimagine My Community
In Latin, way back yonder in time, the Latin word communis meant things like common, public and shared by the whole.
Yes, words like Commune and Communism come from this Latin root word. They pick up flavors from the French language (communisme) in the mid-19th Century. Etymologists (folks who study the origin and history of words)—please enhance our understanding!
Community isn’t as bad as some readers might have imagined.
This isn’t about some weird Commune stuff going on even though the word Community shares a similar root word to the word Commune. In fact, Community can take place in urban settings and rural. Or a mix. Or off-grid. Or in the suburbs. Or, or, or.…
We know weird stuff goes on with some of the off-the-beaten-track segments of society. Other off-the-beaten-track segments of society might just be folks who enjoy alternative energy sources, eco-friendly approaches, sustainable farming and organic foods.
We support your right of choice to live in place(s) you choose, be it urban, near-urban, rural, or even in the wilderness. Each one of us is “wired” differently: what works for one doesn’t always work for someone else. We support your right of choice and decision-making.
Community doesn’t have to be weird, nor does it need to be a clone of another form of community.
Say, about that cloning thing for communities….
Who came up with that idea, anyway?
Some content here may overlap with other areas on this site. This is intentional when the inclusion of similar concepts is helpful to reinforce a point.
We encourage and support behaviors that seek the well-being of society, folks contributing one to another, and ecologically responsible practices. Yes, we think composting is good. Yes, we think a reduction in using plastics is good.
We don’t think climate change is good. Concerned is an understatement. We think there is more going on than just natural cycles.
We follow science and the data and review different perspectives. Science and data don’t always nail it: history is littered with examples of this.
We have a fundamental respect for science, research and logic. However, we do not unduly place these on a pedestal—we also respect “gut,” intuition, hunch and creativity.
Often, in those less empirical areas, solid solutions exist. Even Einstein believed as much. He valued imagination.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world."
Do we insist upon a ram-it-down-your-throat political affiliation, religion, beliefs or philosophy?
No.
Dogma wearies us: we think dogmatic thinking and positions are unhealthy. We support having solid and well-thought-through personal values and principles. This isn’t being dogmatic.
We encourage you to let your roots run deep, to dig deep, and to be prepared to examine and defend what you believe.
Do we support the right of free and individual choice for individual political affiliation, religion, beliefs or philosophy?
Yes.
We must grant the right of choice to one another or accept the inevitable opposite.
Control.
We support free speech (respectfully!). Free speech does not mean a free-for-all meant to enable abusive speech.
We support intelligent discussion on various perspectives and ways of looking at life. That may mean differing viewpoints, but we should be able to discuss our differences and why we believe the way we do. That’s being respectful of one another. That honors sitting down and reasoning together.
This website’s principles are for the masses. We think they are reasonable and worthy of your consideration.
Do we encourage an entrepreneurial and innovative approach? Yes.
Are we against materialism where making money becomes some kind of self-seeking-god? Yes—we don’t think materialism is good at all. If you have the means (resources or time), help out your neighbor out who is struggling.
Let’s not over-complicate this: “neighbor” means suffering humanity that needs help. We are in this thing called life, together, and we need to help one another. Especially if you have more than you really need.
Do we care about how you dress or do your hair? Nope—but share a few follicles with some of the dated grey-hair types on this website. We are thinning out and reflecting too much sun. No doubt that contributes to Global Warming on some websites. We help by wearing a cap.
Do we think embedded and dated systems that come against innovation and creativity are healthy? No. We support creative thinking.
In this website, we are using the term Community in a positive sense. We imagine and discuss approaches for the common good of us all, and those you like to live in proximity with.
When you decide to shovel the snow on the driveway of several neighbors (just to be kind) or help other neighbors rake up their leaves, you are practicing Community. Share your lawnmower with a neighbor? That’s Community. Have a potluck dinner together? That’s Community. You are doing something for the common good.
A healthy Community is outward-focused. It’s focused on serving and helping others. It is the opposite of the me-me-me thing.
Do we like programs to help the poor? Yes.
We are also very aware of shared concerns surrounding excess urbanization, food quality (and supply), air quality and finding a balance with the work-life equation. We know that good families have genuine and sometimes growing concerns about urban crime and not-nice-stuff that is on the news. We know that some of you just want to breathe some fresh air, enjoy the beauty of nature, and lower stress levels.
We know also that some desire the very real benefits cities can offer.
Do we care about social concerns such as eldercare and those without parents?
You bet.
We need to honor the wisdom and benefits of previous generations and the aged. We stand against shipping off the elderly to places where they encounter unmet needs.
Shipping the elderly to institutions where all they can do is exist in lonely-time and die. That’s a disgrace and cruel. They deserve better in their final years. We need better solutions.
Single parents have a unique burden to bear. Community must embrace them and be with them in their special journey.
What about younger generations that have little family—orphaned perhaps? Or older generations whose family has gone on before? Or their family don’t want them? Or, they don’t want their family (sometimes with good reason!)?
We need to stand alongside the aged and young where there is lack by showing true Community.
Lip service, or broken systems bogged down by bureaucracy, just don’t cut it.
‘Nuff said. Period.
Okay—that’s off our chest now.
Call it a rant.
Call it what we think.
Call it whatever.
We know some readers will wonder about these sorts of topics and we do dive into them in the Rethink website posts and discussions. Reimagine touches on them. We try our best to be up front and transparent with our topics. We think we owe that to you as a valued reader.
Yes, the elephant in the room is indeed harmless….
It’s also huggable, and mom approved.
Chill weighed in on this rant.
It’s Chill approved for pondering.
Yes, we are VERY concerned about Climate Change and the impacts on Community.
