Chehalis Washington.
Not sure if you’ve heard, but Chehalis been producing some pretty wonderful people sense November 23, 1883. I have been blessed to meet some of them between 1992-2011 and they are pretty rad. They helped shape who I am, and I am proud of my home town and the people who are in it. They did good, they are outstanding and kind people. They taught me how to live slow; Before I learned how to live fast. I will always appreciate them for that. Some became doctors, some optometrists, while others, run a card shop on top of another career. Some work at the local stores, while others work at the corporate stores that moved into town. I have a genuine love in my heart for all of them in a way I don’t know if I can create, find, or feel with the wider world. The feeling of a tribe from childhood is strong, and I just feel really lucky to come from this particular one. Thank you childhood friends, family, and everyone who made that town wonderful. I worked at a golf course, and I worked in a flower shop, owned by my mother. While those shaped me in a way that in inexplainable; They provided me a soul in which I will experience the rest of my life. Vibing in as it grows, adapts and learns, but it was a good start.
I wouldn’t describe myself as a community creator but I think I’ve observed the recipe. My friend Jon created our running community 11 years ago, and I feel lucky to say I’ve been to I think most of the runs over the long-haul. What does it mean to commit to community once a week for an hour or two, and it involve running, grabbing food and a drink. Well apparently it will and can change your life. I mentioned this on another page but also the community of playing music with my friends every Tuesday during a jam night has also been ridiculously helpful and positive in my life. How many times have you heard a cover of a song and felt like that is the ‘right’ version. Some of the artists I know from this group, when I hear the original song play on Spotify I feel a little disappointed I know my friends can sing a version I enjoy better. That is when it’s important to step back and appreciate, different sometimes is better but a lot of it has to do with context of your experience.
I have a lot of content to add here but essentially I want to create something that inspires to build our community. Not just find it, because if you are from the small town I was from, it might be a little harder to find and then build. I’d rather teach you a primary skill then how to find, because I want people in small towns like I am from to know some tips to help start something not just join something. Although I think both are important. It’s not going to be complex, it’s going to be a lot of little considerations that might help you calibrate your compass but my entire project will be more of a compass then a map and that is OK.
Peaceful State 