How Would You Describe Your Community in Five Sentences?

Notably, describing one's community in as few as five sentences can be a challenging yet intriguing task. It reveals the simplicity and depth of local life and human connection. Here’s a look at my community, which is a mix of simplicity and complexity.

A Unique Mosaic of People and Lives

The community I live in is a healthy mix of diverse individuals. It includes working-class families, young and old, sober and otherwise, druggies, those battling addiction, and hardened sinners. Contrary to the conventional labels of rural or urban, my community is more of a blend, reflecting the diversity that defines humanity. There are sober individuals, drunks, and drug users, churchgoers, and those who may not share the same moral compass. Alongside them, there are healthy people and those with disabilities, all coexisting in a space that is both fragmented and cohesive.

Community as a Sense of Connection

In the English language, there are myriad words to describe communities, but no matter the descriptors used—whether isolated, rural, metropolitan, or bustling—at their core, communities are defined by the sense of connection and belonging that their inhabitants feel. For my community, the people living here are bound together not just by their physical proximity but by a shared feeling of interconnectedness.

A Unique Collectivity of Individuals

The people who call my community home are a hodgepodge of individuals, from artists, writers, photographers, actors, and organic farmers to ambitious single mothers. While this diversity is rich and vibrant, there are also the "normal" folks who are engaged in everyday life. However, I find that there isn't always enough common ground to delve into deep, meaningful conversations with everyone.

Defining a Community

In the simplest terms, a community is a group of people who share something in common. This could be defined by the shared attributes of its members or by the strength of connections among them. You need a group of people who are alike in some way, who feel a sense of belonging or interpersonal connection. Whether it's through a common interest, work, or shared experiences, these attributes bind a community together.

Personal Reflection on Community Life

While my community has its charm, it is far from perfect. It does not meet my standards, and I didn't choose to live here; my father did. I moved here in the early 1970s, when my sister and I were still in college, and my elder sister was in her third year of law studies. Over the years, the area has transformed from an open space into a bustling subdivision. I bought an adjacent plot of land 390 sq. meters in size and built my small shack/bungalow there. Today, the whole place is congested, noisy, and drab, with many of the original inhabitants no longer present. My parents are gone, and we're left with old houses and a community of strangers.

Despite these changes, I manage to carve out a space for myself. The lawyer in the family teaches Labor laws to her students via Zoom from two schools three afternoons a week, and I have my house all to myself to write, read, paint, and enjoy my solitude. The isolation on the outside is palpable, but the comfort and peace within are what truly matter. Life in this community is a paradox of coexistence, change, and personal fulfillment.