By Angel Blair
When it comes to relationships, it’s important to surround yourself with people you feel comfortable with and enjoy being in the company of. The great part about this is that you can build your own community of people who appreciate, understand, and like you for you. At one time, community was only interpreted as the representation of your neighborhood or town where you live, but community can mean so much more.
Having and feeling a sense of community goes beyond sharing the same zip code or fence with another. Community symbolizes those in your life with whom you can confide in, trust, and build meaningful connections with. Forming friendships with people who don’t criticize, who listen, and who truly care is crucial to creating a community you can depend on. Those who don’t possess the qualities you seek in these types of bonds aren’t worth your time or energy- especially if you find them toxic to your circle. You deserve better and deserve to be respected and treated with kindness.
Community is the family you get to choose that will care about you unconditionally and be there no matter what. Treat others in your chosen family as you would want to be treated. Sometimes you need to cut ties with those who don’t have your best interest at heart. This can be very difficult and easier said than done. But at the end of the day, you deserve to have people in your corner who don’t pressure you to be something that you’re not and who try to meet you where you are – without judgement. Even if they don’t completely understand what you’re going through, they listen, show empathy, and genuinely care. If you haven’t done so already, start to build your community to match what you seek in friendships and bonds with others. What will your community look like?
About Angel:
My name is Angel Blair, I am a mom to beautiful twin girls and hold degrees in counseling from schools outside of the Philadelphia area. I’ve worked with the MS community in the past, and am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had in helping others. I enjoy spending time with my family, writing, reading, and traveling.