[Serving Strong] The Web We Weave

I'm trying on a new outfit for the eNews. I'm not sure about it yet. Let me know what you think. Also, I've made it easier to navigate to the website and blog: servingstrong.com (website) and servingstrongblog.com (blog). Now here' this week's thought...

The Web We Weave

"What a tangled web we weave..." This phrase has long held a negative image over the years. It points to the dark side of deception and lies. But I suggest a positive perspective for weaving a web... Community.

People who aspire to greatness weave a web of relationships throughout their life. I'm currently reading Practicing Greatness, by Reggie McNeal. Chapter 4 discusses what McNeal calls, "The Discipline of Belonging." Belonging means we each have a web of relational contexts. These contexts include family, friends, coworkers, mentors, and followers. From these contexts we receive encouragement, perspective, feedback, and other life-giving elements. Without it, we serve in isolation. Isolation leads to burnout. Not good.

Although we may not experience the same level of community equally across all contexts, the strong person is profoundly connected at some level. This means community and belonging is as vital (and possible, I might add) for the introverted as well as the extroverted!

QUESTION:

What is your web of community?

NEXT STEPS:

List the contexts which make up your web of community.
Give each context a grade (A-F) for how well each one contributes to your strength.
Renew your commitment to make the most of each of your contexts.
Take it a step further. You are part of someone else's web. Who needs your encouragement, perspective, or feedback today? How can you enrich them this week?

For Your Nightstand