Small group book discussion
Recently, I cast a pebble into a local Facebook group and was astonished by the (positive) result. It turns out that my desire to create more connections with like-minded folks tapped into a bigger pond than I expected.
After 5 years of living in the small village I’d moved to mid-COVID, I still didn’t know enough people to fulfill my need for more frequent and meaningful interactions. Heading into yet another fall and winter of shorter days and less activity, I felt the push to see if this was the year I could achieve this goal.
I’ve made other small efforts in previous years, which included joining a book club and becoming a member of a service club. The first was a good idea, but it didn’t capture my need for something beyond the limited discussions. The introvert in me desired deeper and more meaningful conversations, which weren’t occurring, given the fiction books that were selected.
Similarly, the service club has also fallen somewhat short of what I was seeking. While I’m still a member, since I believe in being a contributing member to the community, its structure and membership haven’t yet provided the pathway to my overall vision.
Instinctively, I knew that it wasn’t the people who lived here that were the problem, given its eclectic mix of artists, professionals, entrepreneurs, and retirees. Rather, I hadn’t yet found the way to connect my interests and abilities with those who might have a similar desire.
So, I just kept casting the net.
And that’s how this latest effort paid off.
It started with a simple statement and question on Facebook.
“I have a book I’ve been interested in reading. It’s called “It’s Never Too Late to Begin Again” by Julia Cameron. There’s 12 chapters, and I thought it would be interesting to do it with a few other folks willing to work through it with me. One chapter every week. You can come to my home, so a maximum of 8 people. Let me know if you’re interested.”
Short and to the point. Much to my surprise, I was turning people away within 24 hours.
I was delighted by the interest, and yes, all were strangers to me. But that was kind of the point: to meet new folks and perhaps, over time, develop a potential friendship.
And that’s exactly what’s happened. Not only have I made friends, but the entire group has become something more. The book has inspired vulnerable conversations, along with the sharing of interests and new ideas. Not to mention a fair sprinkling of laughter along the way.
Everyone has blossomed with the opportunity to connect with folks they likely never would have met otherwise. That’s where I often see the true power of self-leadership take hold. Knowing what you want and acting upon that knowledge means you’re more likely to be out in the world and, as a result, expand your life in unexpected ways.
Self-Leadership is never a “one and done” because there will always be a more complete vision of who you are and what you want. Every year, and certainly every decade, you’ll face both challenges and opportunities to determine your right path. That’s why being clear on your values is an integral part of your life plan.
One of my core values is belonging, and so living in this new community meant finding and fostering that value not just for my benefit, but for others too. I’ve certainly reaped the rewards of this weekly book study group, and I am seeing that within our group and beyond. Which is one of the other great rewards of leading yourself towards your vision.
I’ve already heard of other groups beginning, with folks who felt inspired to follow the ripples of my initial post. That is just as satisfying as what has been created in my own life. I’m fortunate to know that this was the impact of my actions; we don’t always know that. But you can be assured that when you’re making a positive change in your life, others take note.
These days, when there’s so much to be worried about, I think it’s useful to remember that as you craft your vision and choose to be the leader in your life, you can’t help but inspire others to do the same. You never know what positive ripples you’ll create until you begin.
If you’ve been creating some positive ripples, drop a comment to share that with other readers. You never know who might need to read how you’re creating goodness in the world.
