Caring for one another is one of four steps that Paul Born outlines in his book Deepening Community. It is these repeated acts of reciprocity and love that are essential to building a deeper community.
I've always loved caring for people. It's the theme that has run constant throughout my entire life. The other side of this coin that I have had to learn is how to be cared for. That allowing others to care for you is as important as doing the caring. It is only through this reciprocity that you truly deepen your relationship with individuals and your community.
I've had to flip my mindset. Being open and vulnerable in this way is also being strong. I had to let go and learn to do a metaphorical trust fall. I take that fall more often now and it's become less scary. I have more confidence that there will be caring arms to catch me and not judge. I also understand that by not surrendering in this way, I don't do justice to these important relationships. That I hold myself back a little from truly being intimate with those closest to me.
Many of the lessons life has sent me over the last number of years has been to teach me this. Even going so far as to break limbs that have reminded me to slow down, let go and forced me to rely on others.
Being a Force for Good 