Keith JonesDecember 4, 2015

Community is defined as a group of people who are connected by durable relations and mutually define the relationship as important to their social identity and practice. As a kid, I recognized the presence of community in my neighborhood, church and school. The communities that inspired me most were those that helped each other grow and served others in the world.

When I founded ToBeRe in 2006, my mission was to partner with people to create a group that truly cared about each other. It was unimportant to me where anyone came from, what they did professionally, how much money they earned or what they looked like. I wanted to work with individuals who’d strive to be their personal best and be unconditionally supportive and loving in their service to others no matter what challenges might arise. I’ve been fortunate to experience true community. As human beings, we are designed to have connections in our lives. They enrich our world and make life worth living. Sometimes there are periods of struggle within a community. But even those instances provide important growth opportunities that test durability and what it means to be unconditional.

When I think of the communities I am a part of, I smile inside. My heart is full of gratitude for all the people who contribute to my life now and for those who did in the past. I have love for every single person.

All the personal growth I have experienced over the last 10 years has been within my communities. I have learned how to serve others without expecting something in return. I know what it means not to judge and to love unconditionally. I have been taught to differentiate between what a person does and who they are. Their failures don’t define them. I understand that all the good someone does isn’t erased by any mistakes they make. Because of the way I have been compassionately supported, I give people the space and grace to reinvent themselves if they fail in their commitments. And most of all, community has taught me how to love myself first and best. This allows me to more fully love everyone in the world.

Thank you everyone past and present who I have shared community with. You are a gift to me. And if you want to experience true happiness with a loving heart, embrace community. It will change your life in the most amazing ways.

Best in health and life,

Keith