Everywhere I go there are two groups of people most communities regard with suspicion – gypsies and squatters. These groups traditionally take advantage of community resources without becoming contributing members of the community. Consequently, communities reject gypsies and squatters and shove them to the outside because of their leech-like behavior.
Communities regard non-contributers with suspicion. This is true in villages in India as well as communities on the internet. If you want to engage online communities to find persons of peace, you have to have a reason for being in the community. If you are going to be part of the community for any length, you have to contribute to the community.
An online writing community invited me to be a part of their weekly chats. They invited me because they felt I had something to contribute. (I was a freelance writer for seven years.) Because I contribute, I am welcome in the community. This allows me to pray for the community and be available for spiritual conversations when and if they come. My contribution earns me the right to take up space and time.
Do the communities you engage regard you as leech or as a contributer? What are you doing to contribute to online communities?
