Last week, we wrapped up another successful county fair. I am always so impressed with the way that so many people work together to make the county fair a success. From crowning the royalty to recycling the recyclables, from show choir to demolition derby, from open class competitions to livestock shows from food tents to 4-H projects, volunteers and fair staff come together to insure that it all gets done.
But what I really love most of all is the community that I witness as I walk through the buildings, barns, and on the midway. It’s a time when people are engaging with others in face to face conversation, catching up with friends over some delicious food, and children are laughing and playing together. It is truly a place where for a week we celebrate one another, jump in and assist as needed, and seem to go back in time to another era.
Building community is a vital part of our development. A community can be defined as “emerged as a group of people with diverse characteristics who are linked by social ties, share common perspectives, and engage in joint action in geographical locations or settings.” Where is your community? Where do you find others who support you, help you, laugh with you, cry with you?
GirlsHealth.gov offers some suggestions to become a better member of your community.
- Treat others well.
- Show other people respect even if you have beliefs that are different
- Get to know people before making up your mind about them
- Stand up for your beliefs
- Be someone people can rely on to do a good job
- Volunteer at places like a nursing home, homeless shelter, food pantry, or humane society
- Help a neighbor or someone else who could use a hand
Each night as you go to sleep, can you look back on your day and be happy with your actions towards yourself and others? Being a part of a community, whether small or large, is a sign that you are never alone. I hope you have found a community that brings a smile to your face and fills your heart with laughter like I have.
Written by: Jami Dellifield, Ohio State University Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Hardin County
Reviewed by: Susan Zies, Ohio State University Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator,Wood County
References:
MacQueen KM, McLellan E, Metzger DS, et al. What Is Community? An Evidence-Based Definition for Participatory Public Health. American Journal of Public Health. 2001;91(12):1929-1938. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1446907/
Girlshealth.gov, Office on Women’s Health in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.girlshealth.gov/relationships/community/
Photo Credits:
Kim Wooley Camper, Cheap $hots Photography, https://www.facebook.com/Cheap-hots-Photography-Kim-Woolley-Camper-138367259532875/
Kolt Buchenroth, https://www.facebook.com/hardincountyfair/
Live Healthy Live Well 
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