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Did you know that communication, community and communion all share the same etymology "communis" which means "with, together" and "oneness, union." My friend Erwin McManus taught me that and it was a powerful insight regarding the essence, purpose and impact of communication.
This past weekend I joined 14 of my college fraternity brothers for a charity golf tournament raising money for cancer research. It was hosted by our brother Bob Kiesendahl who owns the Woodloch Pines Resort in the Pocono mountains. Bob was diagnosed with leukemia in his 20's and given a 10% chance of survival. But thanks to the miracle of medicine, an innovative treatment, a bone marrow transplant donor who sacrificed to help, and the grace of God, Bob is still living healthy and strong.
This was the third year in a row my group of friends got together like this. Guys who knew each other as 18 year old knuckleheads are now leaders in the financial industry, an orthopedic surgeon, a judge, an environmental conservationist, a movie producer, an educator and philanthropist helping disadvantaged youth, an author and resort owner.
We didn't always get together like this. We went years and years without seeing each other. But then Covid hit and we all started to communicate via a group text. The communication lead to a renewed connection which lead to a commitment to get together for Bob’s annual charity golf tournament.
And there we were in the middle of 2020, as the world became divided and people isolated and separated from each other, we all united together once again 27 years after graduation; for Bob, for cancer research, for each other and for the nourishment of our own souls.
It truly was a life giving time and every guy will tell you we needed it for our own healing and mental health when it felt like the world was going crazy. We left that 2020 gathering recharged, nourished, hopeful and excited about getting together again.
Communication lead to us communing with each other which lead to a stronger bond, health, wholeness and community.
Communication, communing, communion and community are essential for health, happiness, relationships, teamwork and life. We were never meant to be isolated and alone. We were made for intimacy, connection and relationships. We are meant to grow and thrive in community.
So as you think about your family, friends, and team at work, think about how you can communicate in such a way that builds community. Communicate to connect and unite, not divide, and connect in such a way that you build a community that supports and nourishes each other, making each individual feel more whole and the collective whole stronger.
When we improve our communication we communicate "with" each other, enhance our relationships and build stronger, "united" teams and communities "together."
-Jon
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