What Makes a Strong Community? GGG Events, and 2023 Link Ups

I’ve been thinking a lot about community lately: what it is, what it looks like, what it’s supposed to feel like and how to sustain it. As odd as this may sound, online communities are still something I’m trying to wrap my mind around since I like to be fully immersed in an experience. I want every one of my senses engaged. For example, I look forward to going to the Farmer’s Market every week. I look forward to catching the sight of a smile when a friend and I lock eyes, the warm embrace of a hug, the tone and cadence of their voice when their getting me up to speed on what I missed since we last spoke, the taste of my seasonal peppermint mocha coffee, and the energy that fills the space as people crowd the market to gather their share for the week.

I read somewhere that the older we get the more time we spend alone. Naturally, it becomes less about the amount of relationships we have and more the quality of those relationships.

Green Goddess Glow was founded on the idea that women who use cannabis should be seen and held in high regard. I’d hoped that we could learn and grow together, deepen our self-care practices and discover new approaches to wellness and spirituality. As we usher in a new season and a New Year, inviting ascension, expansion, challenges and opportunities for growth, I want to encourage you to consider how your environment and the people in it reflect how far you’ve come.

I’m sure I speak for many of us when I say this past year has had it’s share of difficult moments. Things we weren’t sure we’d be able to recover from, things that might’ve left us bruised and broken in ways others couldn’t see. It's in those moments community mattered most.

And let’s be clear: 2022 wasn't all bad! Out of great hardships we emerge anew, fortified and reimagined. In the year ahead I hope we can spend more time getting to know one another intimately and pushing each other towards our highest Self, goals and purpose. If you’d be interested in joining me and other women like yourself in community dialogues, group activities and adventures, then continue reading the community values I’ve outlined below with the intention to build on a strong foundation with likeminded individuals.

What is community?

Community is a group of people who share the same interests, goals, or values and who are in close proximity, engaging with one another regularly. Communities can be rather large or small and are closely held together by culture, profession, shared intention or shared experience.

What are community values?

Community values are the non-negotiable core principles or standards that the community members wish to maintain. They must be acknowledged, honored and measured against to ensure that growth and development occur in each member.

What makes a strong community?

One that is cohesive, supportive, and actively engaged in the well-being of its members. Some characteristics of a strong community might include:

A sense of belonging: Members feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves and are seen and accepted by their community.

Communication: Members are able to openly and honestly communicate with each other, and there is a sense of trust and respect within the community.

Involvement: Members are actively engaged and contribute to its growth and development both for the individual and the collective.

Collaboration: Members are able to contribute their unique talent to come together to effectively and cooperatively achieve common goals.

Inclusivity: The community is welcoming and inclusive of diverse perspectives and backgrounds.

Resilience: The community is able to adapt and reach a resave when challenges and setbacks arise.

Sustainability: The community is able to sustain itself over time and maintain a sense of cohesion and purpose.