Imagine opening your home to hundreds of people.
People from all over the world,
from different walks of life, with different backgrounds,
talents, desires, dysfunctions, and personalities.

Imagine, that at any given time,
there are approximately 15-25 people living in your home or on your land.

Imagine that, for a multitude of purposes, all of these people find you.
Some make plans to join you for years, and others get inspired in the spur of the moment.

Some people come because they hear of your purpose,
and are inspired to be a part of the dream.
Some come out of curiosity about living in a conscious community.
Some come to better understand the meaning of sustainability.

Some come because they are fed up with,
and some even running away from, the life they are living.

Some come to heal their minds, their bodies, and/or their souls.

Some come because they have no place to go, no food to eat,
or no one to love or be loved by.

Some of these people are doctors.
Some are former police officers.
Some are builders, gardeners, plumbers, chefs, or mechanics.

Some are web designers, organizers, technicians, hackers, or entrepreneurs.
Some are travelers, artists, musicians or dancers.
Some are film makers, photographers, or writers.
Some are people who just want to lift heavy things.

Others are homeless, former drug addicts and/or alcoholics.
Some have no skills and very little life experience at all.

Some are leaders and self-motivated, capable and dependable.

Others are followers, in need of direction.
Still others who are unmotivated, uninspired, having completely lost their zest for life.

Some come with pets they say are their family.
Most leave them behind when they go.

Imagine hosting meat eaters, vegetarians, vegans, and raw foodists.
Christians, Buddhists, Wiccans - and people from many faiths,
as well as those who consider themselves to be atheists.

People come with already established families.
Some are single mothers or fathers, with, or separated from their children.

Some have been surviving on their own for years,
others are experiencing their first time at being away from home.
Many, if not most, are people in their 20s and 30s, finding their place in the world.
Almost all wishing to be part of a family that really loves them.

And to recover from life long stress, being ill, abused, controlled, and living a life of slavery.

Imagine those in your home are active and excited, healthy and inspired.

Others curious, timid, outgoing, boisterous, secretive,
confused, abused, traumatized or afraid.

Some are even too weak or sick to barely lift themselves out of bed.

Some sleep daylight hours, others at night.
Some are engaged and helpful,

others reclusive and no help at all.

Everyone comes with their ideas of what is appropriate, inappropriate, good bad, right, wrong, acceptable and unacceptable.

Imagine how interesting your life would be with an ever changing and very diverse group of people creating a life together in your home.

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At the @gardenofeden, we have been building community for over 8 years.

No two days/people are the same, and one never knows what to expect with so many people up in the mix. Life is not boring....to say the least!!

Relationships are definitely the most challenging part of community living.
Most people even have difficulty living with their chosen spouse or roommate for any period of time, let alone so many once strangers. Since we do not hand pick people to join us, but they choose us instead, we never really know who or what we're going to get, until we get it.

Each person that comes into the @gardenofeden brings on an entire new energy, which affects the entire group on some level. Having a dozen or two mirrors staring you back in the face can always help you see yourself, rather you want to see yourself or not. It is an ebb and flow of juicy dynamics that spurs personal growth in profound ways.

We find the most valuable and holistic way to deal with the group dynamics is for each individual to take responsibility for everything they are are part of. Excuses and blaming bring down the vibe, and laughter and an inservice attitude, raises it up. It takes real dedication to stand together through the tough times, which brings forth new levels of divine connection with each other and ourselves.

I believe that we are growing gardens, implementing sustainable building solutions, animal husbandry and other homesteading activities to keep our bodies busy while we do the real work!

Conscious evolution.

It isn't always easy, though the majority of the time interesting and enjoyable. For me it has always been worth the effort regardless of the challenges. It feels good to witness people rising above their dysfunctions, and taking the opportunity to change their lives for the better. I am also incredibly grateful for the opportunity for personal growth, greater awareness, and the chance to experience unconditional love.

There is so much we can do when coming together for common purpose.
If we can all get on the same page, we can change the world.

I hope to continue sharing with you life in community, and some of the intricate facets of what we have found to work and not work. In building community here on Steemit, we too can come together for common purpose and make great change.

I'm grateful to be here with you.

@quinneaker is the visionary, founder and space holder at the @gardenofeden. He has helped thousands of people change their lives through conscious evolution, providing insight, opportunity, and support through his dedicated service to the betterment of mankind. Check out his blog and the @gardenofeden to read more about Quinn's cutting edge perspective and how he has put it into action.

Here are a few more of my posts on community living:

Grateful for all the love
My intro post
A Glimpse of Paradise Through my Eyes
Building Community