Building Family Traditions: Serving Your Family and Community - Keith Jennings, VP Jackson Healthcare

Community Connect’s topic on November 13—which also happened to be National Kindness Day—focused on building traditions that serve your family and the community. Leading the discussion was guest speaker Keith Jennings, VP of community impact at Jackson Healthcare.
 
The group discussion started by examining the difference between “finding your passion” and “finding your purpose.” Jennings pointed to research that suggests happier people start with purpose—the idea of who can I help today. When this happens, you can find areas of enjoyment that awaken your passion areas.
 
The group then explored ways to activate this in their lives and how you can start with small acts of service and kindness as a family. He recognized the challenges, though, in the fast-paced, over-scheduled lives we lead. When you have to decide on the “why’s,” the “who’s,” the “how’s” and the “when’s” around service, it can be overwhelming.
 
As we enter this season of giving, Jennings suggested starting with the “why” (the purpose) rather than the “who” and “how.”
 
He recommended some resources to tap into, as well, including the podcast “The Happiness Lab,” the book Toxic Charity, and various documentaries on Netflix. Listening, reading and/or watching these together as a family can help build mindfulness around small acts of kindness that you can start within the family and then radiate out to others and the community. Jennings also recommended families look at their “circle of impact,” sharing that how you serve in the community can be both impactful and meaningful when it’s personal to you and your family. Another suggestion discussed was for families to think through what they want their family legacies to be—what traditions, practices and philosophies do you want your children to embrace and carry forward.
 
Community Connect extends a big thanks to Jennings and parents who attended the session, as well as evening dinner sponsor, Moe’s Southwest Grill.
 
The next Community Connect event is Wednesday, November 20. This session—“Letting It Go: Handing Over Family Responsibilities to the Kids”—will be led by counselors from the West Corridor, including Allison Reinhart of West Forsyth High School, Sue Sabo of Liberty Middle School and Julie Remenick of Vickery Creek Elementary School. Dinner starts at 5:30 pm, followed by the evening topic and discussion (6-7 pm). Click here to register. $5 feeds the entire family, and childcare for ages 3 and up is free!
 
To view the full calendar of 2019-2020 Community Connect events, visit us here.