Do you have a strong sense of community?

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Having volunteered in many places, I think I do have a sense of community it's just that I lack social awareness or ways in which to "fit in" socially. Plus I have a fear of authority figures especially those who assume the role....< <

Here's an Einstein quote:

"My passionate sense of social justice and social responsibility has always contrasted oddly with my pronounced lack of need for direct contact with other human beings and human communities. I am truly a 'lone traveler' and have never belonged to my country, my home, my friends, or even my immediate family, with my whole heart; in the face of all these ties, I have never lost a sense of distance and a need for solitude..."

So, empathy is not necessary for a strong sense of community per se.

As an aspie, I always have related closely with Einstein's quotes than any other philosopher aside from Viktor Frankl and T.S. Elliot.

I don't think Einstein nor Viktor were very popular people in their community as far as empathy goes.

I agree with this, generally speaking.

I think has arisen as people have become more mobile, in terms of access to higher education, moving away from home to another city, perhaps staying there after graduation, or moving to another city or country for work. That's been good in terms of people having more opportunities, but it's also been bad in that the sense of communities has broken down because of it.

Although having said that, where I live in Manchester, NW England, I moved to an estate when I needed somewhere to live, not really knowing about it, and it turned out to be a 'happy accident' in terms of becoming part of a community. When I applied for social housing, I could so easily have ended up on an estate where people don't know each other, with no sense of community, but I serendipitously ended up on a small estate of low rise apartment blocks and I know so many of my neighbours. Some people keep themselves to themselves, but the community spirit is there, there are lots of community events, there are community projects, a lot of people are very altruistic.

I do feel very fortunate and quite privileged to have accidentally stumbled across a place like this. It's all the more important for me, because I'm not in touch with my family, my parents and siblings due to all kinds of horrible family stuff (and my daughter is grown up, married and living in a different country). I really love the way that there are quite a few neighbours living on my estate who are similar 'black sheep' or misfits and it's like we've created our own family in a way.

I just bought a used Harley-Davidson. I am now a member of HOG, the Harley Owners Group. So I guess I have a community commitment.

ruveyn