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The ABCs of Community: Act. Belong. Connect.
Our sense of self is often shaped by the groups we belong to: family, friends, sports teams, the city we live in, our neighbourhoods, cultural and religious organizations, work and school connections; the list goes on.
Guest article written by Belinda Cartwright CEO, Founder, and Senior Care Consultant.
But what happens as our social circles shrink? People move. People retire. Our health and mobility change. Sometimes the communities we were once active in no longer hold our interest or meet our needs.
What doesn't change is our need for connection and our desire to belong. Relationships contribute to our social, emotional, mental, and physical well-being, and interacting with others can play an important role in maintaining cognitive health as we age.
But belonging requires more than simply being around other people.
Belonging is a verb, not a noun.
It means participating in something that supports us, provides friendship, encourages us, celebrates us, and helps sustain our sense of self and purpose. Belonging is fuel, and active belonging creates connection, strengthens relationships and is a defining part of community.
Through my work with The Silver Circle, I have come to see community as more than the people who surround us. It is also about connecting the dots between people, groups, services and resources: removing barriers and creating opportunities for participation, belonging, and connection.
As Esther Perel reminds us, “The quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives.”
How might acting, belonging, and connecting help us build the communities we need as we age?
The Silver Circle helps families navigate life's transitions by connecting them with trusted resources, creating practical roadmaps, and providing support for both caregivers and the people they care for.
Thank you to Belinda Cartwright for contributing to the Blog. Learn more about the Silver Circle by visiting their website.
Belinda Cartwright
CEO, Founder, and Senior Care Consultant
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