From the Archives, 2012: Years ago I had a category in my blog, Community Indicators. I have always been interested in developmentally understanding (and maybe even evaluating) the health of groups, communities and networks. These happiness indicators below from June Holley still ring true. (The image I added does as well, a little card the Swinomish Indian Community made to support Two-Spirit/LGBTQ+ folks in our area.)
Here are just a few of many possible measurable happiness indicators in networks.
- Expressions of gratitude and appreciation
- Sharing of success, progress, and dream stories
- Closing triangles and expanding circles through personal introductions
- Random acts of kindness and generosity
- People learning and discovering new things together
- Planned and unplanned open invite entertainment and celebration events
- Online spaces making resource location and collaboration easier