kineshma "Community, to me, is a group of individuals who interact on a regular, if not almost daily, basis. It is a larger group that in the long term develops into smaller groups with common interests, while still retaining the overall members. It is the best way, in my opinion, to meet someone, and as we grow older and depending upon our lifestyle, often difficult to find.

I picture a coffee shop where regulars come in and sit down in their respective groups, while giving a shout out to members at other tables that they also at times interact with. A place where they all get to know about the others ups and downs of the daily grind and give support where needed.

I do enjoy community life and do not feel it pulls on my (very enjoyable!) independence, as I have the strength to pull away if I feel I need to."

giggels64 "Community? A community is a very special place to be you have your friends, and meet new people who visit, but what really is important about community is finding a place where you’re not afraid to let your hair down and be your elf, where no one is going to judge you and everyone truly cares.

A community cares and shares just about anything from having a new baby to being a grand parent, from the ups and downs that you get in life to the falls you take. A community is much like having a large family, only better, because we are from all over the world and see the world thought different eyes and we can learn from each other. It’s like taking a trip around the world and you never have to pay for the ticket to travel!

The community I live in is almost beyond every dream! We are very strong for each other and always have room for the person that just walked in, if they’re chatting for the first time and need a little help. We grow in number as time goes bye but we are never to full. Are arms are always open to a new neighbor.

A community to me means love, kindness and sharing even if you need to blow your top. I means knowing that you’re not alone and never have to be."

marjidaw “As for community - well, where would we be without a community? We'd be in complete isolation and that would be disastrous. We are created to be with others. We need others to grow, to love, to care, to share because it is a law of nature - whatever we give out we get back. If we want good things, we give out good things and get them back in abundance. Have you ever felt that bubbling up of excitement and happiness for just being well and alive, and sharing that with someone who seems to be a bit low, how they respond when you give them a big smile and show that you care that they are there? This is what community is to all about really. Being with other people and building them up, making them stronger, being positive and refusing to be negative.

We need a strong community, we need people to love, care and share. It is our basic need. The more we love, care and share the more our needs are met. It is the law of nature.

I think that the internet has become a great tool for people who otherwise may have difficulty communicating with others, to get together and make friends. You never know who you may meet on the internet. Obviously you have to exercise some caution, but it's fun!"

primal_male43 "Community is very important! It allows one another to find friends, lovers, and soulmates and it also builds a strong connection with others. My community is important to me cause it contains my family, my kids, and my friends. I feel that I live in a strong community. For example one of my neighbors was going though a tough divorce and was trying to manage providing for her four kids. Well, she was almost at the end of her rope, unsure as to how she was going to feed her babies, so the other people in our community got together and bought her over 500.00 worth of food to make sure her and the kids would eat. That, to me, is what a strong good community is all about” caring and helping others."

Dishwaterblue2 “Community, what does it mean to me? I like to be involved in a community, but not to become a part of it. I enjoy my independence with regards to my ideas and approach to life. I think there are many communities we are all involved, from the general one of my hometown, to the rugby team I am a part of, to the group of my close friends and family.

There is that sense of security and acceptance within a community: you learn to understand its mores and values, and there’s the religious community that offers spiritual protection. I think there is a great skill in learning to mix with different people, and to pay respect to beliefs and attitudes. Sometimes, though, in getting in too deep, you can start to lose the difference between your own ideas and that of the group. I love my rugby and the community it represents, but for many of my friends it seems it is the be all and the end all. The ability to see outside the box is lost. The FriendFinder community is a unique one we have all decided to be part of it but the variety is huge. Here there is no need to lose yourself: by its very nature the rules are lose and the mix is the whole world. I am not a leader by choice but find myself there on occasion, or due to circumstance; I am not a follower but I will follow as long as it suits me to. Here we are free to make that choice, for me though I would say remember amidst it all respect for others and count yourself a decent person.

In fact, here you are offered the opportunity to be how you see yourself or how you want others to see you. I declined this option: I am of the school take me as I am or don’t take me at all. Yet I find this community fascinating in all its colours and shades.

So to answer the question yes I relish my independence but I enjoy being involved in many communities and I always enjoy being accepted into a new one. So yes, here I am an independent man but not staunchly so; I’m looking to experience as many new communities as possible and here I am given a greater opportunity then ever before to do so."