Building community

“In out-of-the-way places of the heart,

Where your thoughts never think to wander,

This beginning has been quietly forming,

Waiting until you were ready to emerge.”

“For a New Beginning”, John O’Donohue

From his book, To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings

I’ve had this inkling for quite some time. A passing thought in the back of my mind; a quick dismissal. Letting my mind wander and dream; and saving it for an unnamed later time. Three years of these thoughts coming and being pushed away. Until this summer, when my coach encouraged me to use the space of my family vacation to allow these thoughts to roam freely. To ask, “What’s next?” and to listen to their wisdom.

Community has always been so important to me (and all of us I’m sure, as a social species). I seem to have several different smaller communities, each providing a unique richness and love in a specific area. My community of fellow social workers, therapists, and community change agents has been a critical one over the past 16 years in the field. I’ve been able to tap into them for support related to my job and chosen profession. The helping fields are not for the faint of heart - I’ve witnessed trauma and the aftermath of experiencing the worst things possible. I’ve watched as state and federal policies have detrimental impacts on children and families. And I’ve navigated my way through bureaucracy and red tape our organizations have put in place, initially to function, but that have turned into overwhelming barriers for the people working and the people they serve. The hurt and frustration, if unchallenged, grow.

It has been imperative to have people I know and trust - those who “get it” - that I can go to to talk about these things. To vent to, to encourage, to let it out, and then sit me down to figure out what we can do about it. People whose presence helps me stay firm in my resolve. People who remind me of the importance of my work, and the impact I set out to have.

And as I reflect on all the wonderful people I have in this community of mine, I also know there are so many others out there who do not have this. Who are the only ones in their role; who serve a rural community; who have plenty of friends or family but they don’t understand the pressures of their work.

We need more community to support each other and to help us think about how we can continue to do good in the world through all the hard moments.

So as I was sitting in the beautiful mountain foothills in New Mexico, I finally listened to that little voice in my heart that was waiting to be heard. I decided to create Grounded by Purpose to be a space for helpers, just like me, to come together for encouragement, to challenge the way we think, to allow each other to feel without downplaying the seriousness of our reality. And to tap into a renewed energy so that we can continue to move forward in our vision.

The work we do as helpers - teaching children, healing the wounded, listening with an open heart - requires us to be willing to place ourselves into difficult scenarios, to carry the weight of heartbreak, and traverse unfriendly spaces. It also requires us to care for ourselves and each other. To make sure we nourish ourselves and fortify each other. And that’s what I aim to do.

I’m starting with a brief breath work group open to all. As we all face the pull of demands coming from every direction, my hope is this will give us a moment to pause, slow down, and reconnect with ourselves. I hope you’ll join me this Friday morning (December 19, 2025) at 8:00 am Central for 15 minutes to breathe, set an intention, and spend a few moments in community with each other for the day ahead. Register below to get the Zoom link to join. I hope to see you there!

Pause & Breathe

December 19, 2025, 8:00 – 8:15 AM CSTVia Zoom

Get Zoom link to join

For clarity, courage, and conscious action,

Courtney

Grounded by Purpose