Finding Community Is Possible

November 23, 2020

Finding community is hard, but it's possible.

I’m very proud of the community I live in so I decided to hold a FREE rummage sale in June. Everything was free; although, I accepted donations for the Club 44 Foundation and Mount Calvary Fire Department. I know someone needs these clothes and baby items more than we do so it was the least I could do.

As a result of the rummage sale, I was able to donate twice as much money compared to that which I made last year. I consider this a success and couldn't do it without all of you.

Whether you like it or not, I'm a truth teller.

I have to admit I never thought in a million years I would live in this small town. I grew up just five miles from here in another Wisconsin small-town. It seems less than desirable to travel 3 miles to the closest gas station and ten miles to the grocery store, but I like it here. Before considering marriage and the possibility of children, I thought the big city was where I wanted to be.

After 12 years of marriage, my husband and I still live in the ‘bachelor pad’ he purchased 16 years ago. Finding community can be hard, but when you speak your truth, your community will grow organically.

With our family complete, it was time to purge some clutter that comes with children.

Let’s be honest, children come with a lot of crap (considering all definitions of the word). People suggested this FREE rummage sale wasn’t such a good idea, that I was crazy for leaving a rummage sale unattended. Others stating the likelihood of stolen donations. Personally, I trusted this idea from day one. At least I could give it a try.

And that, my friends, is one benefit of living in small-town Wisconsin. A place where trustworthy individuals look out for each other. The neighbors that look after your home when you’re away are some of the best kind.

I’m not moving anytime soon, therefore, the big city will have to wait.

I can travel the world and return home with confidence. I’m right where I’m suppose to be and this new feeling is liberating. As an achiever, I often keep chasing, trying to find happiness in the next level of success. Truth is, happiness is right where I am. Letting go of perfection is freeing. Since I'm no longer seeking perfection, I convinced my four-year-old to snap a few photos of me for this post. Joy and presence is what I seek these days.