When we created Spirit of the Senses over twenty years ago, we didn’t realize that my creative process could be considered a model for creating a larger community. Our ideal in founding this concept was that with a sharing of information, people could begin to make constructive choices, develop a more sophisticated sense of aesthetics, and create a stronger community and a better quality of life. The elements that we used to create this micro community were people, place, and talent.

People are always the most important element. We have come to realize that the strength of a community comes from the diversity of it’s members. Their unique qualities contribute a richness and range of curiosity that makes for a very stimulating environment in which to learn. As the leaders of this small group we have established a support system, just as in a larger community the civic leaders need the support of various organizations and community activists. The members of our group provide an ongoing outreach into the community bringing us new members and ideas. Our presenters provide an endless supply of inspiration. In creating a stronger sense of community on a larger scale, remembering that people come first is a key element.

A sense of place is vital for a community to thrive. In creating a sense of place for Spirit of the Senses we choose stimulating environments that give a welcoming sense of comfort and openness. We wanted an environment that would encourage people from all social levels to participate. While most of our environments are homes, on a larger scale, civic leaders want to create that same comfort level, welcoming a diverse selection of people. Arizona has a wealth of outdoor sanctuaries with natural beauty. Communities can design places such as parks, schools, libraries, museums, civic centers and sports facilities where people can gather, learn, and be entertained.

A beautiful city such as ours attracts a multitude of talent from which we draw for presenters to our group. In our desire to create dynamic discussions we have discovered artists, scientists, professors, musicians, architects, physicians, judges, civic leaders, and more who have been willing to share their knowledge and create an ongoing dialogue. We can combine the assets of our community to create a wealth of information and artistic inspiration. Our larger community can do the same and become stronger with a richer quality of life if we recognize our own resources, share information and become aware of possibilities. Everyone has a role to play.

We strive for quality and meaning in connecting people, place and talent to make our group better. Civic leaders can use the same principals getting to know the people in their communities, focusing on the community as a sense of place, and drawing on the many talents of the people that reside within the community. The community can grow and raise the bar on our quality of life if it utilizes it’s relationships, environments, and cultural opportunities to it’s best advantage.

frontdoors, July 2005