Three Keys to Healthy Communities from Three Eclectic Movies
Three of my favorite movies are The Return of the King, The Sound of Music, and Miracle. I know it is an eclectic mix. However, I want to focus on three of my favorite scenes from these movies because they provide a glimpse of how I think we can build a resurgence of communities wherever we are.
To start with J.R.R. Tolkien, I love the scene where the four hobbits have returned home and are sitting in the same pub, enjoying pints together. They understand the magnitude of the adventure they have just returned from, but everyone else around them is blissfully unaware. Their lives have not been altered even though the entire world nearly fell into darkness and was mere seconds away from disaster. This community survived because these four heroes, in different ways, contributed to preserving the community. That is the first hallmark of a healthy community. It is something worth fighting for and defending. Beyond that, sometimes you have to make sacrifices for the community that the other members are not even aware of.
Making a natural transition to a World War II-era musical, I absolutely love the party scene in The Sound of Music. I want to host an event like that at some point in my life, but a major part of this event is the setting itself. It is significant that this party takes place in a beautiful house full of people dressed in beautiful clothing and dancing to beautiful music. This party would not be the same if it were in a dive bar or a high school gymnasium. I suppose you can also have a good party in those places, but the party needs to match the venue. When they work in synergy, the result is beautiful. Communities are the same way. There are certain norms and expectations for each community. Some are strict, and some are loose. However, all communities have some form of boundary, and the boundary needs to fit the group. This is, therefore, the second hallmark of a healthy community. It will be organized and designed so that it beautifully brings together the people who are a part of it.
Making one more natural transition to a hockey movie, the Christmas party in Miracle is not important to the plot in many ways, but it always makes me smile. It is a bunch of young men making jokes that young men make, whether they are appropriate or not. They are simply enjoying each other’s company. Yes, they have their vision set on bringing home Olympic gold, but they can take one night and simply enjoy being together. This scene is so joyful, highlighting a third element of community. If you do not enjoy the members of your community, it will be a problem. Not that communities don’t have disagreements; naturally, they happen. However, it is also true that members ought to enjoy the other members of their community. If you don’t enjoy your community members, you might be in the wrong community.
Sometimes, the less important images stick with you, but I have been reflecting on successful communities a lot lately. They don’t happen by accident. They need to be fought for, organized in a way consistent with their membership and purpose, and joyful. If any of these three elements are missing, communities will struggle long-term. However, if you can successfully execute on these three elements, your community will thrive.