Connecting and Contributing

[cinder]

So as my life becomes more settled (ie boring) and routine, I'm finding that I also lead a rather isolated life and have developed habits that reinforce that. This bothers me, as I know it's not Biblical or all that Christian. But as I think about trying to branch out (and as I've tried only to have activities I did enjoy wither up and die), I often find myself feeling more limited by being single than freed by it. So beyond the go find a group you're interested in and join it advice we always give but often have a hard time following, I thought I'd ask some of our CC singles how they've gotten involved and contribute to the world around them. These examples can be church, formalish club, group of friends, small group, civic organization, etc. past or present. Here are the questions:

1) Where have you connected with your local community?
2) What do you do to contribute to that community?
3) What were your biggest challenges to getting involved in the community?
4) What was most helpful in getting you connected with your community?

 

[zeroturbulence]

There's these two websites I heard about that might be exactly what you are looking for. See if I can remember their names... lol.

One is toastmasters.com
The other is meetup.com

Yep, I'm pretty sure those are the correct names.

 

[Mel85]

1) Where have you connected with your local community?

Just to name one - the local Kitchen soup.

2) What do you do to contribute to that community?

My voluntary services, basically my time.

3) What were your biggest challenges to getting involved in the community?

Nothing. I’ve always wanted to help the community especially homeless people.

4) What was most helpful in getting you connected with your community?

What I’ve learnt from them. Humbling myself and knowing how much struggle they go through compared to my struggles. Its a good reflection on how what may seem small to me e.g food, is something so big to them.

I also enjoyed networking with others who share the same passion of outreach.

 

[cinder]

There's these two websites I heard about that might be exactly what you are looking for. See if I can remember their names... lol.

One is toastmasters.com
The other is meetup.com

Yep, I'm pretty sure those are the correct names.

Been on meetup, unfortunately my meetup didn't last very long after I joined it and most of the ones I might be interested in are 45 min to an hour away, which is far enough it's hard to make lasting connections outside of the group (although I still drive that far for stuff I really want to do like game days and plays).

If I remember right toastmasters is all about speech making and I have no interest in that.

But thanks for your input and thoughts, you're terrific at always trying to help people.

 

[Demi777]

Churches... Not One alone but meeting people through different churches in the area

 

[Lynx]

And that's how I ended up here...

 

[Jewel5712]

Im right there with you..could say "ditto" to everything you wrote..however..i found a church i love..very non traditional that truly helps the down n out..but we also have a food pantry ministry etc (its more of an inner city church)..etc..i hope to establish more friends that way. Ive tried the MEET UP groups in our area but more times than not you have to have all the money for the activities which i didnt always have but it CAN be a good option ! Also i heard groups at the gym while working out.....

 

[Jewel5712]

Some of the mega churches here have like outreach ministry..missions trips..car repair ministry..legal ministry..house repair n remodel ministry etc..ive thought once bout helping out Habitat for Humanity...

Let us know what you decide and your progress

 

[cinder]

Im right there with you..could say "ditto" to everything you wrote..however..i found a church i love..very non traditional that truly helps the down n out..but we also have a food pantry ministry etc (its more of an inner city church)..etc..i hope to establish more friends that way. Ive tried the MEET UP groups in our area but more times than not you have to have all the money for the activities which i didnt always have but it CAN be a good option ! Also i heard groups at the gym while working out.....

I wish I could find a church I love as well, as it is I've settled on one that the average age isn't gray and that I am convinced is a good, godly place even if it doesn't seem to fit me so well. Though if I'm honest, if I knew a better place to go, I'd probably be outta there pretty quick.

 

[Tommy379]

I've tried meetup. Nothing going on except over an hour and a half away. I work, as in am employed, for my local community, and I kinda want to spend less time with it when I'm off.

I was married, and I found it was easy to make that my world. Without it, I feel like I'm adrift in the ocean. I have no answers for you.

I live in a rural area, so that doesn't help. Maybe moving somewhere else may work for you, Cinder.

 

[cinder]

I've tried meetup. Nothing going on except over an hour and a half away. I work, as in am employed, for my local community, and I kinda want to spend less time with it when I'm off.

I was married, and I found it was easy to make that my world. Without it, I feel like I'm adrift in the ocean. I have no answers for you.

I live in a rural area, so that doesn't help. Maybe moving somewhere else may work for you, Cinder.

As long as it's not quite as far as my last big move, but truthfully I know I have it good at my job and I would be hard pressed to find a better position doing the same kind of work so a major move isn't an option I'm leaning towards. Moving about halfway between work and the location of game days and the theater I keep getting season tickets to is an option I'm considering, once I have enough saved up to buy a house but that's going to be another year or two at least.

And I think if I had a more locally interactive job, I might not feel the need to get out and about with local people as much so I don't blame you for not wanting to be more involved than your full time work week.

 

[HappyChristian78704gal]

Cinder I wish I could give you some advice, but I think everyone did a good job naming stuff.
You could also maybe go visit Nursing homes, a lot of seniors get really lonely and love having people visit them. A lot of their families are far away and their friends have passed away.
If I won the lottery, I would spend my life doing volunteer projects abroad or start some type of after school program for at risk youth that would become self-sustainable. Atleast in my mental business plan.

 

[HappyChristian78704gal]

I've tried meetup. Nothing going on except over an hour and a half away. I work, as in am employed, for my local community, and I kinda want to spend less time with it when I'm off.

I was married, and I found it was easy to make that my world. Without it, I feel like I'm adrift in the ocean. I have no answers for you.

I live in a rural area, so that doesn't help. Maybe moving somewhere else may work for you, Cinder.

Ha ha at my last job...I kept wishing I had a job where I could get away from people. I had to deal with constant interruptions and when I would leave work I would seriously have to detox from people for a bit! I switched jobs where hours would pass by without seeing person and then I kept wishing for any type of human interruptions.
I guess I liked feeling needed after all...