Live United, By Ann Austin

This year, the concept of community has been defined, questioned and redefined. What is community and why is it important? How is community changing? What is being lost? What opportunities do we have?

To me, community is the people we are surrounded by and who we choose to spend our time with. Hopefully, the community we live in is a healthy, safe place. Hopefully, the people we choose to spend our time with are ones who build us up and encourage us to be our best.

Many people are selective of a community they choose to live in — whether there are good schools, a low crime rate, parks for children to play in, clean lakes, or fun things to do.

Others don’t have a choice. They are born into communities that seem to have too many problems to overcome and not enough resources. They live in neighborhoods where there is constant violence and fear.

But there is community even in the most difficult of circumstances. There is unity in every community — it’s up to us to look for it.

Regardless of how things appear on the surface, there is also history in every community — and barriers to overcome. Many of the barriers are a deep emotional response that people may not be aware of. There have been small or significant disappointments that invaded the core of our heart at a pivotal time — and changed our perspective of a place.

If we live in a community long enough, we have baggage that can be hard to overcome.

Community is what we make it.

It’s the decisions we make every day — to engage with each other in kindness and friendship, even as we struggle with conflict — to expect the best and work to create a stronger community together.

We all have a role. That is the beauty and the sadness in community. It’s beautiful when people find their purpose, but tragic when they live in fear, in isolation, disengaging from the people who can help them recognize meaning.

I’ve struggled with meaning throughout my life, at times wanting more meaning than I find in day-to-day tasks. But, when I slow down to put things in perspective, I recognize the best thing I can do at any moment is to acknowledge the humanity in someone else and help how I can.

This is the season to give — we are all called to give in different ways. It doesn’t have to be money, but gifts of time or encouragement can be as valuable. I know of a lovely woman who is opening her home to others to share coffee. I know of people who give fantastic advice and listen, truly listen.

Here are a few ideas for giving back:

• Organize a food collection event at your workplace for area food shelves. Do it during the spring/summer, when donations are lagging.

• Adopt a pet or volunteer at the Humane Society to care for homeless animals.

• Shop locally and get to know the people at your local farmers market or retail store.

• Help out making sandwiches and snacks for kids at The Rock.

• Make your New Year’s resolution to volunteer: Mentor a child, get involved in a committee or start a movement.

• Read to your children, sing to your children, talk to your children, listen to your children.

• Sing carols to diners at a Semcac Senior Dining site, your neighbors or people in another area of town.

• Help deliver meals to older residents throughout the county.

• Shovel snow for a neighbor.

• Send a card to someone you haven’t talked to for a while.

• Bake an extra batch of cookies and deliver them to someone who doesn’t have family in town.

• Play cards, do crafts or visit with residents at retirement communities.

• Invite a friend out to lunch or coffee; do it regularly. You never know when they may leave your life.

• Take a moment to stop, take a deep breath and appreciate the gifts you’ve been given in life. Help someone else to do the same.

• Find the unity in community. It’s not hard if you try.

Ann Austin is the executive director of the United Way of Freeborn County.