Village

I know when you saw this, you immediately thought “It takes a village to raise a child.” The truth is everyone needs a village to truly be contributing and optimally functioning beings in society. Sounds easy right? It’s in the doing part that things can become extremely complex. Looking at societies across the world, the major characteristics that produce exceptional people are those that have a common goal, albeit good or bad. We don’t get to choose our village when we first enter this world, however we can create it as we grow and realize its importance. When we Google, Village, the dictionary section's first definition states it as “a group of houses and associated buildings, larger than a hamlet and smaller than a town." So, not that. In this context, a village is a community of people made up of friends, family, mentors and neighbors who we intentionally surround ourselves with and are collectively invested in our good. 

Behind every dream realized, every goal achieved, and every life well-lived, there’s a village small or mighty, cheering, guiding, supporting, and sometimes even pushing when we need it most. On our journey to cultivating the life we desire, let’s remember that our village is the ultimate tool to help us discover, build and thrive. For those of us who don’t have a village and would like to create one, the points to start are key in our becoming. In choosing, let’s focus on people who:

1. See us clearly: When we’re deep in self-doubt, spiraling in imposter syndrome, or just feeling lost, the right people will bring us back to ourselves. 

• They remind us of our strengths.

• They call out our brilliance when we’re downplaying it.

• They push us back on track when distractions or fear take over.

  
  

2. Connect us: Opportunities often come through people and not just hard work. Doors that we didn’t know existed can be opened in several ways.

• They make available resources that make the journey easier

• Mentors who’ve walked the path before us can help us see where we are blind

• They elevate our perspectives through exposure and education

  
  

3. Nurture us: Living wholly can mean stepping into the unknown, which is scary enough. Our village should be a space for respite and restoration. The best villages create an environment where we feel safe to try, fail, and rise again.  

• They remind us to rest.

• They invite us into joy, adventure, and experiences that refill and revitalize.

• They celebrate both who we are and what we do.

I pray that when we’re focused on building our own village, we choose to do so intentionally. I pray we seek out people who inspire and challenge us and pour into us as much as we pour into them. I pray that as we grow, we remember to be that person in someone's village as well.