120 - 5 powerful reasons on the importance of being in community

So I've just in conversations, hearing some feedback. This has been something I've wanted to do. And. Just on my side, didn't have the time and resources to really feel like I could do. Um, you know, the, the job that I want to do to be able to show up and walk alongside of this through you or walk alongside of us through it with you.

Uh, want to create a space for the guys to be able to speak what's on their heart and what's on their mind. And to be able to get, um, you know, the feedback that many of us are missing or have missed. And so this. Part of this that I want to talk about is five benefits of being in community. And the first one I would say is knowing that you're not alone, right?

And sometimes, you know, for many of us as men, we'll go through and be like, you know, I'm not in high school, I'm not in college. The folks at work seem to have their own life going and, you know, I've got my life, but I would really like to talk to somebody other than my wife or, you know, just being, you know, being in conversation with my children.

I really like to have other men who are growth minded as well. And so that's what community can do for, you can give you a place to feel like you belong, that your, your existence matters, your presence is important, right. And people want you there. I think that's oftentimes we just feel like nobody wants us around.

And that I've, I've put it out there, you know, Hey Steve, I'm going to complete this project by this date. Or I want to see this growth in myself. I want to read this book. I want to treat my wife better. I want to lose this weight. I want to experience this health, whatever the case may be for you. Um, you know, it can, it can be different for all of us, you know, we're all individuals, but whatever the thing may be for you.

That's not normally there. Um, you know, when we're, we're just running. Doesn't mean you can't do it solo, but there's a higher probability and more support behind you finishing and completing the task that you're after. When you have community and, and other men around you. Um, I don't know about you, but I love being in a group of guys because of the fun, you know, we can go to work.

Um, you know, you're going to have your high points. There's going to be low points. There's going to be, you know, straight flats in between. It's never a straight path from one point to the other. There's always twists and turns and ups and downs. And having somebody there that you can have fun with gives you more energy.

And so rather than feeling bogged down or just, you know, the weight of those tasks and the things that we're, we're going through, having fun, you know, having, uh, a laugh, just being humorous has been shown that it helps us to live longer and live better. So why the heck not, but being in a group of guys that you're having fun with just.

It will get you a lot further, um, than when you're just head down and, and plowing through it. Um, you know, and who doesn't want to have fun and in the process of that, so take a task that seems like a big challenge and, and enjoy it doesn't mean that it's going to be done overnight, but heck if you're going to go through it and might as well have some laughs uh, the other part is.

You know, if you look at the videos like, um, I remember one that was like a viral video on, on social media where, you know, two kids were playing basketball together on the same team. And one was just looking downtrodden, you know, upset because of the way things had gone and a teammate came and lifted his chin up.

Um, you know, that you're running after become successes, man. That is, that is absolutely so powerful and uplifting. There's enough, you know, negativity that we get hit. That to have a different voice. One that's encouraging and ringing you on though, is if you're running like that, 5k that 10 K that marathon or an ultra marathon, would you want to hear a voice from the sideline, you know, holding out a cup of water or Gatorade.

I mean, whatever you want, but just that, that aid, that encouragement to say, I see you keep going. You've got this. You're doing fantastic. That just puts you in a different place than when you're running along. And those thoughts in your head are going, oh my gosh, I'm never going to make it. I'm not going to see the finish line.

And I feel that are holding me back or holding you down. So, and then the last one is perspective. So each of us can see things differently. Um, great example of this is I used to be just very much an ER. And so I would see things negatively. You may hear it called the victim mindset. Where was me? Life sucks.

What are the other options? Having somebody who has a different perspective can create additional opportunities that you've not been aware of. Um, this is often, you know, like I'll experience it through my wife. You'll hear me talk about. Um, having her viewpoint, just the way she sees things is, is just blowing because I'll look at something and go, this is the way it is.

You know, feel stressed out about or overcome by. And that goes again, you know, just like we talked about encouragement, that different perspective can be that encouragement that you need to, to continue pushing through, to see that success. Because sometimes we'll just stop short of what's required to hit our goal thinking it's never going to come about when it just needed that extra five pounds of pressure, you know?

This isn't going to happen. Well, instead of using the pickaxe, what about using, you know, the shovel or a drill or something else to get to where you're going that next three feet don't quit too soon. Keep going and persevere. And so, um, you know, again, those five reasons, a sense of belonging, accountability, fun, uh, encouragement and perspective, right?

Let's have fun. Let's hold each other accountable. Um, You know, let's, let's share our perspectives or viewpoints and, you know, just feel like we belong somewhere because man, it just even having that, knowing that you belong can give you that feeling of worth of acceptance of knowing that you met. And so my friend, I look forward to hearing from you look forward to, to seeing you inside of the living fearless to the group.