Table Time with Friends

One of my favorite ways to spend time with others is to gather around a meal.  I don't know what it is about mealtimes, but it's such a great way to connect.

We've had our neighbors over for Make Your Own Pizza Night, which is our family's Saturday tradition.  We had each family bring over their favorite toppings, and it was so fun to see what each person chose to put on their pizza.  The kids had a blast!

I first learned about the power of sharing a meal to connect people when I was a Resident Assistant in college.  A fellow RA and I planned to pair two apartments together and have them over for dinner for several weeks running until we had shared a meal with our entire complex.  We intentionally paired apartments together who didn't know one another well.  This small gesture of sitting around a table together made our little college community thrive!

So, what about you?  Any dinner parties planned?  Does the idea of having others over for a meal stress you out?  What about a simple potluck?

Life on Mars and Life in Community

I was directed to this article by a friend of mine who is quoted in it.  She was very badly hurt by Mars Hill (the Seattle church under fire for quite a few local and national controversies) and has spoken out about it on many occasions.   For that reason, I read the article. 

As a Christian and a feminist, I can't help but feel like the article isn't the full story for either side of the divide.  I'm disappointed that yet again women's rights and health are pitted against the church as if the two viewpoints have to be on opposing ends of the spectrum. 

But regardless of my beliefs on that issue, that's not exactly what drew me to the article or why I'm posting about it here.

What I find particularly interesting is the idea the article presents that community holds a bigger draw for people in joining a group or cause than the actual cause itself.   The piece argues that feminism has failed women because American culture and American government have posited the idea that because women CAN have it all, they SHOULD have it all.  And yet, no support is offered to help women as they strive for this unrealistic ideal of perfection.This leads to pressure instead of freedom, isolation instead of belonging.  Mars Hill is appealing partially because it is a community.  A place where people can feel loved and belong.  Regardless of the price of that belonging, the need to feel connected and included is so strong that often we can align ourselves with beliefs or causes we don't even agree with just to be a part of something!

I believe in the power of community and in the power of belonging.  I want to take responsibility for building that kind of network of support in my neighborhood, my church, my children's school.  How about you?

A Simple Life

I've been loving this song lately.  It's not a new song, but it's been one that I've really loved listening to a lot these days.  I think the reason is because it ties in two things that I have been working on: creating a warmer home environment and connecting to our local community.

Simple Life 
by The Weepies

Can I get up in the moming
Put the kettle on
Make us some coffee, say "hey" to the sun...
Is it enough to write a song and sing it to the birds?
They'd hear just the tune
Not understand my love for words
But you would hear me and know

I want only this, I want to live
I want to live a simple life.

I dreamed you first
But not so real
And everyday since I've found you
Such moments we steal
Like little thieves, we rub our hands
We hold our hearts between them.
But will you hear me and know?

I want only this, I want to live
I want to live a simple life.

Move on, move on
Time is accelerating.
Drive on all night
Traffic lights and one-ways.
Move on, move on
Parking violations waiting
Turn off the car, breathe the air
Let's stay here.

I'll kiss you awake, and we'll have time
To know our neighbors all by name
And every star at night.
We'll weave our days together like waves
And particles of light.

I want only this, I want to live
I want to live a simple life.

I love how she says, "we'll have time to know our neighbors all by name..."  Let's have time for that, shall we?


So what do you think?  What does a "simple life" mean to you?  Are simplicity and community connectedness related?  I think so, but I'm curious what you think?