Exploring, learning & just having fun
I'm new here and not quite sure what to say.I'll give it a go.
I've moved around a lot in my life and my work has taken me into hundreds of different communities - In Australia and Ireland. Some of the communities have been geographic and others have been communities of interest.
When you live and work in as many communities as I have there emerge a number of common threads in the big pattern:
* I am the stranger in town
* It's up to me to make the effort of connection
* I take my time to get to know people
* Trust is built over time and not because you have an important sounding job title
* I'll always attract and meet many interesting people on similar and different life paths to me
* Keep my mouth shut and never publicly broadcast a negative opinion about a local. This is particularly relevant in my professional work
* Enjoy the feeling of not knowing
* Really listen to people - what they say and don't say
* Work cooperatively - you're not the only expert in town
* Be yourself
I've recently moved to Ballinamore and love it. Then again I've loved every where I've lived - it's a choice.
I'm meeting a range of interesting people. I was really pleased to find this forum. And as an aside, isn't it great how technology does enable the creation of these coalitions and conversations between people.
The other thing I like about Pucheen is that it is not just online but also face to face. People interested in all sorts of environmental and community ideas can get together. Tonight I hope to wander down to the pub and watch a film and chat to people. That's part of my kind of community.
And the other good part of this town is they take me as I am.It's not called the friendly town for nothing.And people leave me to myself and welcome me when I wander out. Nice.
In my other blog http://lizbiz.wordpress.com I have written about the kind of home I want to create - sustainable and small. I also believe in supporting local initiatives and I believe with a passion that we can all be part of creating fab communities.
I want to learn more about sustainable building and growing food. As I learn I'll share and I know there will be a pile of people with the knowledge and experience to help me.
Liz
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