The Power of Community
You cannot put your story together all on your own. Community, friends, partners, family, environment, all are part of your story.
Recently, I was a part of someone else’s story. Rick Marks, who died 5 years ago of ALS, was a friend and a hiking enthusiast. He accomplished what many thought were impossible in his last year of life- hiking the northeast parts of the Appalachian Trail with friends. He needed support and help to guide each of his steps up the mountain ranges.
Last week, we collected and trekked up the mountains in communal reunion, to remember Rick. It was a planned 3 day hike, up 4,000 footers, overnight in huts, and heavy packs. Of course, there was also rain and the sweltering heat.
In all honesty - I did not want to go at first.
Though I was able, I was not willing - because I was scared. Worries spun in my mind “Could I carry a 25 lb heavy pack on my back and hips?” “What if I slip on a wet rock?” Little by little, all the worries, doubts and fears crept in.
What shifted?
It wasn’t until a friend of mine, Eileen, Rick’s wife, agreed to do the trekk with me that my anxiety subsided.. My mindset shifted from a place of fear and worry to: “I get to do this with my friend. This will be hard, but we will be together in honoring Rick’s story, of remembering his hike, and following through one step at a time.” This is the power of community.
Doing something new for the right reasons feels good. Doing something in community with others to serve a greater purpose feels amazing.
And so we packed up and took the first step.
We did it. We hiked with wonderful humans of multi-generations, 19 in total. We hutt-ed at Mitzvah and Lakes of the Clouds in bunks 20 to a room sleeping all sticky, hot, and close together. We ate porridge and soup, and lots of bread. We encouraged each other - patiently waited for others - and then pushed on the trail when we could.
More importantly, we told stories of our dear friend Rick along the way. This was the only way we were able to take each step over the miles of terrain and multiple presidential mountain tops - because his memory was with us and kept us going.
Rick’s nickname was “Steady”. He was steady by foot, steady by perseverance, and steady with heart. On this trekk he was honored, remembered, and missed with every step. He was one of the bravest and kindest men I have ever known. And his memory brought together a community of kindness and bravery in each of us that only he could.
I have spent quite a bit of time reflecting on our 3 day hike and what I have discovered is this -
We can do nothing well alone.
We can do so much more together.
In community, we held a sacred experience by sharing “Rick” stories along our hike. We were building community… close to the clouds, with vast views of mountain ranges, shepherding our flock in order to remember and connect.
Our connection with each other grew deeper each day as we: gathered, shared, moved, ate, remembered, honored, connected.
When we are in community with and for something greater than ourselves, we are tending and nurturing our own mind, body and soul.
Reflect on your community today:
What are you tending this summer?
What flocks are you shepherding or surrounding yourself with?
How are you growing roots this season that will foster and nurture wholeness in you?
Let us not resist what might seem scary or daunting and step into it with one another. Because where there is Community, Connection, and Closeness - good things happen.
