Thoughts on Connection, Community, & a Nasty Troll

I got rattled this week. So, the only social media app I’m currently engaged with is Instagram. And I’m questioning if I should release that one as well. I reposted a couple posts that I found to be sort of funny about the current administration’s response to the perceived state of a "war-ravaged" Portland. An old acquaintance I haven’t communicated with in well over a decade private messaged me to rail on the city. It was harsh and didn’t reflect reality. (also he’s from Denver…) I ended up blocking him when I requested he stop and he shifted to personal insults. I thought of that classic case of “would you say it to my face if we were in-person?” On the whole, we are so damn disconnected. We call upon our differences more than our likenesses and humanity. This person had no interest in finding common ground or understanding what was actually going on. They formed an opinion and touted it as truth. When I didn’t give in to arguing, it frustrated him more. It was a strange contrast to what I experienced the week prior…

There is a park a couple blocks from my house that backs up against a defunct quarry. In total, there are 90 acres of land that the city is planning on developing into a massive community space and park, with some adjacent new housing. I reviewed the plans online and then attended an open house to talk to those who had designed and are continuing to refine the vision with community input. Planning to pop in for 15 minutes, I stayed and chatted for well over an hour. As a person in the neighborhood, a small business owner, and being generally invested in this part of Portland/Gresham, it was cool to hear and be heard – to be encouraged to ask questions and leave comments. I not only ran into my neighbor from across the street, but also the manager from one of the commissary kitchens where I used to cook. I felt connected. I felt appreciative to be in this community. Working together, a vision for creating a vibrant, active, accessible space will soon be realized. That’s pretty dang cool.

With the sort of disillusionment I felt in the past year about Rad Root – both the food business and the Ayurvedic health coaching business, I am now feeling, dare I say, ...hopeful?  My weekly visits to the Gresham Farmers Market go beyond the usual CSA produce pickup. I see folks of all stripes exploring local food growers and asking questions. I often get a special treat of running into someone I know (some of you!) when I’m walking around. This is where I – we – need to lean in. These reminders that we can’t go it alone. Progress is made when we come together. Sustenance, nourishment, the ability to not just survive but thrive happens when we come together.

So if you think something that you wouldn’t say to someone’s face, please don’t leave it all on the cold screen of someone’s DMs. Swipe away, move on, channel that energy for good. Your community needs you.