Community
Community cultivates culture.
Same interests, same goals. Typical character, standard unified body of individuals. We all are born alone and die alone, but the journey does not need to be lonely. Having a place to belong can lead to the discovery of yourself. Knowing who you are is an internal fulfillment all people struggle to find. The solitude of being unidentified can become unbearable. Joining a community of like-minded individuals builds a support group to motivate and guide the journey of self-discovery.
Culture is the human creation in a collective group. Without a group of like-minded individuals, a culture cannot exist. As the community grows and expands, the culture has to be transferred or experienced simultaneously. The broader and less niche a group becomes, the more culture becomes watered down. Ideals or beliefs get lost in translation. A way to keep the culture empowered is to have categories in the community. Reintroducing a niche and specific part of the culture enriches the groups in the community to strengthen the culture.
Forcing to skip steps to sharpen your view and perspective of the community will strain what breaking culture can mean for you. Hip Hop is a culture; Breaking is a part of Hip Hop culture; Breaking crews and groups are part of breaking. The further you go in the culture of breaking, you become more focused on your community. You can’t fake the funk. Staying humbly true to yourself is not selling yourself out and not leaving your crew/community behind. Cultivation of your community increases your sense of belonging.
In a community, there is fulfillment in having a fulfilling life. Purpose and meaning to our journeys inspire others and keep the culture strong.
We must have a system where people feel agency to care for others. In a more general scope, the podcast “You undivided attention” mentions how society being under surveillance vs. people creating communities to help each other affects our sense of community and social needs as humans.
When we allow outsiders of our community to assume control of our community, caring for others is lost.
Wellbeingpeople lists some key points of benefits for a community.
Support - Others supporting your journey, and you assisting others
Influence - A voice to empower and having a sense of control to change
Sharing - Motivate and stimulate ideas, growth, and innovation
Reinforcement - Encouragement can keep motivated and a sense of togetherness
Connection - A bond that cultivates relationships that deepen belonging within a community
Learning - A resource to increase your own value with knowledge
Passion - Establish confidence by having an outlet and encouraging to create new things
Reflections
Where were you 5 years ago?
Did you empower your crew or community since then?
Do you belong and feel fulfilled?
Just some things to think about.
