Communities Left Behind

I used to think that I wasn’t a family person but now I identify as extremely family oriented because I want to spend all my time with my closest friends and family—the community that I have selected for myself. These communities are special, and they are unique to each person. It takes time to develop the relationships within them, and so it’s no wonder that after so much bonding, they’re something that we feel we can’t do without. It can be very difficult to make the right decision for yourself when you feel that the very thing that binds the group is the thing that you’re giving up. For example, if you are a Christian, and you give up your faith, you no longer go to Bible Study, but that may be where all of your friends are. Fear of loss freezes us from taking risks, and when it comes to apostasy and our communities it is no different. There are lessons to be learned and things to be considered regarding the interpersonal communities that we leave behind, but in the end, I have found that the true pain of losing some loved ones was still worth it from what I have gained from those I haven’t lost.