Build your community up. Don't tear it down.

Hello! It's me again. I hope everyone is having a great start to the new year. Last Saturday, I attended a women's brunch with my mother. It was hosted by my mother's former co-worker. The woman in question is a lovely young mother of two children. She opened up about a difficult time in her life that she overcame. She described how her mother and the other strong women in her life helped her to get through it without putting her down in the process. The brunch was about community and the importance of giving women a safe place to share their struggles, accomplishments, and wisdom. Each speaker discussed and described ways in which we can positively contribute to our community. I stress the word "positively" because you can also negatively contribute to your community. I encourage people to put their best foot forward when it comes to making an impact. It's okay to stumble and make mistakes along the way, but always maintain a positive mindset, even in times of despair. I know that I should contribute more to my community, so I'm starting with the online community. If you don't have a safe place to turn to in times of need or you just want to unburden yourself, you can send me a direct message via my Twitter at https://twitter.com/nyasiakelli. Your messages will remain CONFIDENTIAL. If I don't get back to you right away, I can assure you that I will answer your message as soon as I can. There is a lot of negative discourse on social media and to change it we must pour good energy into these channels. Someone on Twitter claimed that social media should be about developing friendships, and he is right. It starts with you and me. I wish everyone a constructive and enduring new year!