Community before competition

Recently I was having a conversation with a young friend who manages a boutique. They are a local concern and pride themselves in being located in a part of downtown that is in the early stages of urban renewal. I shared with her that it warms my heart and engenders hope that many in the generation of young people today are focused on community, the idea that customer service is the proper foundation for building a business, and so many local, independent businesses are very supportive of one another.

Her response was, "It's about community before competition."

Having learned these principles at a young age, yet, having lived through the veritable wholesale abandonment of the importance of mutually supportive relationships for the sake of greed, and a cultural disintegration of many values that make life truly worthwhile and fulfilling, I was gratified to hear a young business person in her 20's affirm the value of community.

The whole, "(S)he who dies with the most toys wins" mindset that became the mantra for so many decades, at least where I've spent my life, in the USA, has wrought so much havoc in society, and caused such extensive damage to culture. Even the most positive, loving among us, at times have been infected by cynicism.

By embracing a mindset that rugged individualism is the ideal, it is easy to lose sight of the importance of community and a sense of mutual connection. The worship of ego is,as a matter of course, malignantly narcissistic.

The comforting realization occurred to me, as I considered the conversation I enjoyed with my young friend, that we have that same mindset here at WA. The true "pay it forward" ethos, and the safeguards that we mutually embrace, along with an ever-present willingness to help, support, and encourage one another in this community is an oasis in what can often be a desert of heartlessness.

To be sure, the majority of us arrived with the commitment to create and online presence that will be profitable for us. And for those of us who haven't yet begun to count our money here, that hope is still very much alive.

Our friend, Darren (@white 2233) published a blog today that lit a fire under our collective behind, to embrace our personal responsibility to keep pushing toward success, was another example of the support available to us here. We all need to be challenged. Sometimes we need (constructive) criticism.

The safety inherent in the WA community, where the mantra is (s)he who is most helpful...wins, creates a synergy that is exponential in its benefit.

Yeah, it's true. Community before competition. My young friend is wise beyond her years.

Thanks for reading my blog. Whether you agree or disagree, I value your comments.

Peace!

Terry