Community
My wish for this space is that it becomes a place where we truly share—whether we’ve never shared before or have thoughts that are seeking to be more fully expressed. May this be a space for all of us.
A big thank you to Rachel Zargo Swindler for encouraging me to start this blog, to share without pressure whenever my heart was calling out, honoring my own time.
A blank page—waiting in anticipation. Not for words, they are swirling through my mind, but for the courage required to start typing, to stop holding my breath and take the leap. To trust.
December is around the corner and we will have our last Late Love Community Circle zoom gathering of 2025 on December 8. On that day I would like us to explore: why we keep coming; what will keep us coming back in the future; what topics and ideas would we like to continue to explore together.
I looked back to see what I wrote about my vision for the monthly Late Love Community Circles. This is what I had written: Our monthly gatherings would be a space where we create ever deeper bonds, strengthen existing friendships, and where new friendships flourish. Where intimacy, love, relationship building, trust, bravery and healing are the heart of the gathering so we may go out into the world with an ever-expanding awareness of how we want to show up—to dare to create a world that honors every life, celebrates our diversity and empowers authentic self-expression.
I added bravery after John Boyle, a dear friend, facilitated the June Community Circle—having us explore what a safe and brave space looks like. Ever since then that idea has been with me—not only a safe space where people feel comfortable—it is also a space where we can be brave, vulnerable. It’s important to name it.
A lot of words. A lot of ideals. And today, as I sit at my laptop wanting to answer one simple question—what has kept me coming back?—the answer lands soft, clearly—community. And with that realization a few tears are shed.
Many people know me because I show up. I participate. I bring my voice and my presence. I arrived in Chicago and I went to workshops, conferences, trainings, seminars, community meetings, places of worship, etc.—not belonging to any one specific community and that has been a gift. It’s allowed me to meet people I never would have met, building friendships I never expected. It has allowed me to weave connections, to bring people together that might never have crossed paths. I love that! I’m welcomed—more than welcomed—I’m embraced.
This is all true, and it comes with a challenge for me—I can feel alone, isolated at times. I’m writing this not only for myself, I’m writing this for all of us—as a thought I hope is worth considering, reflecting on. I am abundantly resourced and not everyone is.
I now return to the simple question I introduced earlier, to answer it more completely: What has kept me coming back? YOU! You are my community. I wrote my vision for community, and together, we’ve created a space that for ninety uninterrupted minutes once a month overflows with radical love. There is an ease, a lightness, a warmth of being together, an intimacy. Drawing strength from each other. An energy whose presence defies description, and yet I know it is real, honest, and true. I belong.
Thank you! I’m grateful to all of you and for this community.
For those who’ve read this far: please join us. All are welcome exactly as you are! And if this isn’t your community, may you find the one where you truly belong.
Radical love,
Rachelle
Register for the Community Circle Calendar here to stay up-to-date on the next gatherings.