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May or may not be the world in which you live. I live mine in community. Right now, there are four main communities. I am considering adding a fifth. And there is some overlap.
Communities are different than groups. In a group, folks like each other and everyone gets along (more or less). People who aren't liked get frozen out of the group. Communities tend to be larger than groups and there is room for a wider variety of tastes. Communities generally have something in common -- geography, philosophy, activity, etc. -- but not everyone is required to fit the mold across the board.
I tend to not think in terms of groups, so "family" is a community to me even when it has all the dynamics of group.
My four main groups are:
1. Family. This includes the people I live with and my closest friends. It also includes some people who don't know they are part of my family. I haven't told them. I have a little story that it would cause them some problems. :)
2. Crazed Imaginations. This includes cast and regulars. There are a few groups inside CI. I'm a member of one and not a member of the rest. Doesn't matter. CI is a community that gives me a lot of juice for living. As I think about it, it is my outlet for fun. Several cast members are part of the family community. There is little that I would not do for them.
3. Human Awareness Institute interns. Especially those of Southern California. We share a specific training in loving that my other communities do not share. And there are expressions of affection available in HAI that are not available in the rest of my world. I've come to realize that one person can't alter the conversation in any given community on the "proper" expression of affection. These are too deep seated and way to wrapped up in right/wrong.
4. Landmark. Not all of Landmark Education. Just the one's I work with and mostly involved with the Self Expression and Leadership Program. Makes sense 'cause it's the community program. :) In this community there is nothing I cannot express and nothing that won't be heard.
I'm having a look, again, at the BDSM world. In San Diego, the community is Club X. I am resisting joining. I suspect I will have a few conversations with Carla over the next few months. I want to play again.
Communities are different than groups. In a group, folks like each other and everyone gets along (more or less). People who aren't liked get frozen out of the group. Communities tend to be larger than groups and there is room for a wider variety of tastes. Communities generally have something in common -- geography, philosophy, activity, etc. -- but not everyone is required to fit the mold across the board.
I tend to not think in terms of groups, so "family" is a community to me even when it has all the dynamics of group.
My four main groups are:
1. Family. This includes the people I live with and my closest friends. It also includes some people who don't know they are part of my family. I haven't told them. I have a little story that it would cause them some problems. :)
2. Crazed Imaginations. This includes cast and regulars. There are a few groups inside CI. I'm a member of one and not a member of the rest. Doesn't matter. CI is a community that gives me a lot of juice for living. As I think about it, it is my outlet for fun. Several cast members are part of the family community. There is little that I would not do for them.
3. Human Awareness Institute interns. Especially those of Southern California. We share a specific training in loving that my other communities do not share. And there are expressions of affection available in HAI that are not available in the rest of my world. I've come to realize that one person can't alter the conversation in any given community on the "proper" expression of affection. These are too deep seated and way to wrapped up in right/wrong.
4. Landmark. Not all of Landmark Education. Just the one's I work with and mostly involved with the Self Expression and Leadership Program. Makes sense 'cause it's the community program. :) In this community there is nothing I cannot express and nothing that won't be heard.
I'm having a look, again, at the BDSM world. In San Diego, the community is Club X. I am resisting joining. I suspect I will have a few conversations with Carla over the next few months. I want to play again.