I’m so inspired by the Olympics for many reasons but one thing I really love about the coverage this summer are the profiles they’re doing on the lives and families of the athletes. In showing other aspects of the athletes lives and the people that are important to them we see a three-dimensional view of the U.S. Olympians and the people and community that supports and holds them up as they train and prepare for competition at the Olympic level.
These profiles of our Olympic athletes are great examples of the importance of having social support and community in our lives. This is what is meant by the African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child.” Regardless of our age, we are all someone’s child, and while your physical growth period may be long over, we are all continuously growing, maturing and changing, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Our constant growth and evolution necessitates consistently leaning on our community and loved ones to hold us accountable, to laugh with us, to pick us up when we fall and to tell us everything will be okay when all seems lost.
Many of us are fortunate to have a ready-made “village” with loving friends and family who are available to support us and provide the stable community we can lean on as we navigate through our lives. Others need to cultivate it; they must endeavor to identify and build a family of choice; to pull in other resources to provide the supportive community they need to center them and hold them up.
One of the things I love about working at the Y is we get to be that for many of our members. We get to be an integral part of their village. There is a deep sense of rightness and purpose when you work in mission focused organizations that fosters community and celebrates its members. As we launch our Whole Person Health model of programs and services in the coming months, which understands our members as three-dimensional beings and will include an expanded roster of Group Ex classes and wellness offerings that will be included in your membership; I invite those of you that are looking to cultivate or expand your village to consider us.
Consider the Greater Austin YMCA as part of your community. With 8 locations we are ready to meet you where you are and to receive you exactly as you are.
