Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Why I live in cohousing

[Craig Ragland (craigragland]

I sometimes speak with folks who have given up with their Forming Groups -
they contact Coho/US to request that their Cohousing Directory listing be
deleted. As you might expect, they are often really sad and disappointed.

Something I ask them about is whether pursuing cohousing changed the way
they relate to the idea of community - in the broader world. So far, nary a
one has said No - all have reported that their lives were made better by
having made the attempt - some value the wonderful relationships with new
friends formed in the process, other have shared how the experience
empowered them to try some novel things in other parts of their lives, such
as the workplace and church.

I suspect that most involved in cohousing really understand that growing
community is a goodness - whether in or out of cohousing or other forms of
intentional community. So - hooray and thanks to those of you out there who
don't live in cohousing (yet) that are actively building community in
conventional neighborhoods, workplaces, churches, and elsewhere. The world
needs more of you!

If interested in cohousing for yourself, you might also like to hear that
many cohousers are involved in community building beyond the borders of
their immediate community - both local and broader. For example, some of us
enjoyed growing community amongst the growing ranks of cohousers who network
on a national level, including Raines and Ann and Eris - with whom I shared
dinner with last Thursday, then dinner on Saturday, and lunch on Sunday
(guess where?).

I hope to see all of them again at the 2009 Conference which, we announced
in Bentley, will be in Seattle:

http://www.cohousing.org/2009/overview
On Fri, Jun 20, 2008 at 3:02 PM, Jane O'Brien <janeobrien [at] earthlink.net>
wrote:

>
> I love this thread!  Please, everyone, keep the examples coming.
>
> I also encourage those of us who don't (or don't YET) live in cohousing
> to put in that extra energy Ann Zabaldo referred to in making our present
> living situations and neighborhoods more livable.  Yes, people may simply
> be thinking in terms of " a house with community" vs. "a community with a
> house," but that's a starting point to slowly, patiently, build a big more.
> It may start with a garden club of "let's walk the dog together," but
> that's a
> beginning.
>
> We had our first summer block party this week.  The racists and rednecks
> and
> even a suspected drug dealer showed up, along with many other folks with
> whom
> I feel more shared values, including a neighbor who is sadly facing
> probable
> foreclosure.  I thought to myself, "Talk about inclusivity."  It's
> challenging
> and real.
>
> This is not meant to dis cohousing. I think cohousing has a lot of
> advantages
> and efficiencies that I sometimes wish for, especially when a house around
> here goes on the market and there is no mechanism for inserting the
> "community"
> hope into the marketing process.
>
> I love reading this list and find it gives food for thought nearly every
> day.
> Carry on and best wishes to all!
>
> Jane O'Brien
> Cincinnati, OH
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>
>


-- 
Craig Ragland

Coho/US executive director
http://www.cohousing.org
craig [at] cohousing.org

Please try email first, include your phone number (w/time zone) - or give me
a call: 425-487-3550 (Pacific)... communicate!