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  • June 15, 2025

Of Unicorns and Rainbows

May 8, 2009 by Karen Swim

Written by Karen D. Swim

I sat at my desk watching the steam from my morning cup of coffee curl and dissipate in the quiet morning air.  Technically at work but not fully alert I gazed out the window as command central booted up for the day.

I closed my eyes and inhaled the aroma of the Arabica beans allowing my senses to awaken.  *Beep* I sipped deeply and smiled at the familiar sound of the doorbell to my digital community.

Three years ago my “digital community” was limited to an email list of women praying for and supporting one another. Today, the connections are not easily traced from end to end, stretching across borders and communication platforms, multiplying along the way.  In this community people never move they simply add on growing from digital condo to mansion with a mouse click. Foundations shift but connections are never lost.  With each new neighborhood, the community grows, more stoops to visit, and stories to exchange.

My digital community has taught me that the power of human connection does not require you to inhabit the same physical space. A kind word when you’re on the verge of tears, a photo of a chocodote and talk of gorillas and pizza cheer the heart as powerfully as if you were in the same room.

I have learned that love and kindness are not diluted by the digital medium but strenghtened and multiplied as it is shared and spread, hashtagged and retweeted swelling as each adds to it as it travels through the digitial continuum. A cuppa with your digitial fence neighbor as deeply satisfying as a visit in a cafe.

We humans are amazing beings. Creative, fierce, determined and loyal. We find ways to forge deep and lasting connections in spite of geography, language differences, time zones and all manner of challenges that seem to stand in the way. We have conquered time and space using bits, bytes and memory cards.  Refusing to be defeated by physical barriers, we support, encourage, inspire, and teach our tribe.

*Beep*  the horn has sounded, the tribe has spoken, it is time to engage. The circle widens allowing my presence and I smile in humble gratitude.

What have  you learned from your community?

This post is my humble thank you to all of you and my conntirubtion to  Middle Zone Musings’ 24th Group Writing Project, What I Learned From Community. Care to share? Entries are being accepted until Sunday, May 10th at Midnight CST.

Filed Under: Insights, Social Media Tagged With: Add new tag, community, digital community, groupwrite project, middle zone musings

The Warm Fire of Aloha

April 3, 2009 by Karen Swim

double lightning

As I write this I am listening to the rumble of thunder. It begins as a low rolling drumbeat then rises to a crescendo of clattering cymbals ending in a brilliant flash of light that casts a blue glow across the room.  The light fades and the drops fall softly in a steady rhythm. The flash of light is the perfect way to end this day.

The white hot flash from so many miles away yet shining so brightly in my living room is much like you and me. Our light bursts forth as we share our passions, ideas and knowledge with others.  Sometimes our encounters are like the lightning, brief but powerful casting a glow far and wide.

In what I consider a timeless hallmark, Robert Hruzek writes: “I stared out the windows, searching for something, anything, that would tell me there was a world out there. My eyes began to strain, searching for a reference point. Then – in the distance below, I saw the most beautiful sight.

A light. One single light.” (Excerpt from  “A Light in the Darkness”)

Last year, Joanna Young shared that post with me when I needed to hear that someone, anyone was listening.  The words have not lost their impact these many months later.

The links we share, the stories we tell, the posts we write and yes even our tweets may cast their glow upon those we may never hear or see.

Rosa Say shared these words in an email:

“Me ke aloha pumehana e lokomaika’i  (Translation per Rosa:  when a warm fire of aloha begins to burn, one seeking to feed the spirit, for another’s generosity of good heart has caused us to awaken, feel, and better absorb. “

The beautiful Hawaiian words are an encouragement to not only share your light but the light of others. When you are moved, inspired or tickled pink by another pass it on. Generously spread the light of those around you and you are certain to be warmed by the glow.

I hope today you are warmed by the fire of aloha.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the post, the weather or anything that’s on your mind. It’s Friday after all. 🙂

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons 

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Filed Under: Inspiration Tagged With: community, relationships, sharing

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