I am participating in Reverb10, an exercise that is challenging me to think about the past year with honesty and clarity, and to look ahead into the new year and choose what manifestations I want to reverberate throughout the new year. Join in if you’re interested.
Today’s prompt: Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?
I am independent, often to my own detriment. I tend to prefer to do things on my own, learning the hard way what works and what doesn’t. I’ve been known to have my feathers ruffled when others offer a helpful hint or opinion that I wasn’t expecting at that precise moment. I learn better by doing. And sometimes I do things wrong (or inefficiently) as others look on, shaking their heads at my stubbornness.
This isn’t to say I don’t accept help or criticism. I do that quite often and appreciate it. But, if I’m absolutely and completely honest with myself, I prefer it to by on my own terms. Or at my specific request. However, I realize it’s not always optimal to operate one’s life in this manner.
And this is where community comes in… and where I’m still learning. In early June, my husband and I arrived home to Boulder (well, more specifically to our very good friends home outside of Boulder). We’d spent the previous eight months on Kaua’i, working, learning how to surf and experiencing the gifts of the Pacific.
I’d been active on twitter and had developed new friends and relationships with many folks in Boulder. To arrive back to town, meet and hug so many friends—many of whom felt like old friends (although I’d just met them for the first time in person)—I was overwhelmed with gratitude and amazement at the instant community waiting for me.
Startup women (#startupwomen); Boulder open coffee club (#bocc); Atlas Purveyors (an amazingly warm and welcoming coffee shop); The support of the online and tech community there allowed me to open up and accept help. Accept advice and to learn… learn that it’s okay to be slow. Learn that building a business is about being vulnerable and open to new ideas.
I spoke in front of 15 women on a subject close to my heart and bravely asked for feedback and support—and got it in spades. The next time I spoke in public (my first major foray into public speaking) a month later, it was in front of 1,300 people at IgniteBoulder12. Thirteen hundred friendly faces and supportive energy coursing through Chautauqua, willing me to succeed.
In 2011, I want to extend my experience of the amazing community that is Boulder as I travel the country for the year. I want to remember that community is always there… I just have to ask. To put myself out there and allow myself to receive the gift of community—in Boulder, within my family, and around the country.
