What is a community anyway?

What exactly is a community?  You will see numerous definitions spread around they all have a different meaning.  I'm going to share MY definition of a community.  You see I grew up in a community and it was not what people want to call a community today.  I grew up in an environment where community meant something.  People actually looked out for each other, it was not just a group of people thrown together is a certain area.

People knew each other.  They interacted and spoke to each other. They cared about the welfare of their community.  They did not look the other way and say 'none of my business' when they saw something shady going on.  They spoke up and let their neighbors know.  Things that negatively impacted the community negatively impacted everyone.

They cared about the welfare of their neighbors.  Everyone was willing to pitch in to lend a hand when needed.  They did not live by a 'Better them than me' philosophy.  When someone was hurt, everyone hurt.

They  did not embrace the bad apples.  If someone was trouble they warned their neighbors.

Funny thing is that all that added up to a safe environment.  Kids could go outside and play because the community watched over them.  Burglaries were rare because everyone knew who belonged and who was suspicious. If a stranger walked up to someone's house and they weren't home a neighbor was guaranteed to notice.  The members of the community watched out for their community.

So what is the point of this blog?  APSense is a community.  Members may be scattered across the globe but this is our little online neighborhood.  If we want a strong safe community then we have to be good neighbors.  Each and every one of us.