Seeing With New Eyes: Knowing and Loving Your City
Loving your city goes beyond merely knowing about it—it means investing in its people, culture, and well-being. A thriving city is built by individuals who care deeply and actively participate in its growth. Whether you have lived in your city for years or are new to the area, there are many ways to foster a greater sense of belonging and commitment. To help you take practical steps, here are 12 ways to engage, support, and cherish the community you call home.
1. Walk or Bike
Explore your city on foot or by bike to observe the rhythms of life in various neighborhoods. Pay attention to gathering places, favorite hotspots, and places of need. Walking or biking can provide opportunities for casual encounters and conversations with residents. Notice the types of businesses, the condition of public spaces, and the flow of people throughout the day.
Action Step: Create a bucket list of places to visit in your city and challenge yourself to explore a new location each week.
Action Step: Take a guided tour or history walk to gain a deeper understanding of your city’s roots.
Reflection Question: What have you learned about your city that you didn’t know before? How has this changed your perspective?
2. Attend Local Events
Participate in concerts, festivals, and community gatherings. Look for ways to build relationships, identify shared values, and understand the cultural narratives shaping your city. Pay attention to what draws people together and what topics or themes are celebrated.
Action Step: Attend a cultural or community event and engage with people outside of your usual social circle.
Action Step: Sign up to volunteer or participate in organizing a local event to be more engaged.
Reflection Question: What do local events reveal about the values and spirit of your city?
3. Join Local Groups and Clubs
By joining local interest groups, you can establish relationships organically. Shared interests can open doors for deeper conversations. Use these spaces to observe what people care about and where they may feel disconnected.
Action Step: Commit to attending a group consistently and focus on building trust over time.
Action Step: Look for ways to serve within the group rather than just participate.
Reflection Question: What common interests do you share with people in the city, and how can that be a bridge for deeper relationships?
4. Volunteer
Serve with local charities or non-profits to meet practical needs in your city. This builds trust and shows your commitment to the well-being of the community. Volunteering often places you in proximity to people who are struggling, providing opportunities to extend compassion.
Action Step: Find a local cause that aligns with your passions and commit to volunteering regularly.
Action Step: Organize a group from your workplace, church, or neighborhood to volunteer together.
Reflection Question: How does serving others deepen your connection to your community?
5. Support Local Businesses
Local businesses are the heartbeat of a city, providing jobs, fostering innovation, and giving neighborhoods a unique identity. By choosing to shop at independent stores, eat at family-owned restaurants, and use local services, you help sustain your city’s economy and culture.
Action Step: Commit to purchasing from a local business once a week and recommend them to others.
Action Step: Leave positive online reviews for local businesses to help attract more customers.
Reflection Question: How does supporting local businesses impact the overall well-being of your city?
6. Try Local Cuisine
Sharing meals is a powerful way to connect. Visit local restaurants or attend food-related events to meet people and hear their stories while appreciating the cultural diversity of your city. Focus on family-owned businesses and eateries that reflect the city’s unique character.
Action Step: Visit a family-owned restaurant and ask the owner about their story.
Action Step: Host a meal at your home or church that celebrates different cultural cuisines in your city.
Reflection Question: How does sharing a meal with someone create space for deeper connection and understanding?
7. Read Local Publications
Stay informed about local issues, trends, and stories by reading newspapers, magazines, or blogs. Understanding these narratives helps you craft messages and initiatives that resonate with the community. Look for patterns in reported stories that reflect common struggles or aspirations.
Action Step: Identify one recurring issue in the news and consider how you could respond.
Action Step: Write a letter to the editor or comment online with a hopeful perspective on a local topic.
Reflection Question: What do local news stories reveal about the concerns, priorities, and struggles of your city?
8. Attend City Council Meetings
Learn about the city's challenges and priorities by attending city council or community board meetings. Engaging in civic life demonstrates a commitment to the city’s flourishing. Pay attention to recurring issues or underrepresented voices. These meetings often reveal areas of injustice or overlooked needs that you might address.
Action Step: Research an issue affecting your community and reach out to a city representative with your thoughts.
Action Step: Join a local advocacy or community planning group.
Reflection Question: How can you use your voice to advocate for positive improvements in your city?
9. Help Keep Your City Beautiful
A well-maintained city enhances quality of life. Whether it’s picking up litter, planting trees, or painting over graffiti, small actions make a big difference in creating an attractive and inviting community.
Action Step: Participate in a community clean-up or start a beautification project in your neighborhood.
Action Step: Adopt a street, park, or public space to maintain with friends or family.
Reflection Question: What is one way you can take responsibility for the appearance of your city?
10. Be a Good Neighbor
A city is only as strong as its neighborhoods, and the foundation of a thriving community is built on meaningful relationships between neighbors. Taking the time to connect with those who live around you fosters a sense of belonging, trust, and mutual support. Get to know your neighbors by initiating conversations, organizing block gatherings, or participating in neighborhood events. When neighbors care for one another, it creates a safer, more resilient, and more welcoming environment where people feel valued and connected.
Action Step: Introduce yourself to a neighbor you haven’t met and look for ways to support one another.
Action Step: Start or participate in a neighborhood watch or community group.
Reflection Question: What simple acts of kindness can you show your neighbors this week?
11. Advocate for Change and Improvement
Every city has areas that need transformation, whether in housing, education, infrastructure, environmental sustainability, or public safety. Rather than waiting for change to happen, be proactive in advocating for improvements that benefit the community. Small actions, such as writing letters to officials or supporting organizations that drive change, can make a big impact over time. By taking responsibility for the well-being of your city, you help shape a stronger, more just, and more thriving community for everyone.
Action Step: Organize a small group to discuss local challenges and brainstorm ways to bring positive change.
Action Step: Write letters to city officials to bring attention to important issues.
Reflection Question: What issue in your city is most pressing to you, and how can you help address it?
12. Practice Gratitude
A heart of gratitude changes your perspective and fosters a deeper sense of connection to your city. Rather than focusing on what your city lacks, take time to appreciate its strengths, opportunities, and beauty. Recognize the vibrant culture, the diversity of people, the green spaces, and the small but meaningful details that make your city unique. Express gratitude for the community members who serve, from teachers and healthcare workers to small business owners and local leaders.
Action Step: Start a gratitude journal about your city, listing things you love about it each week.
Action Step: Send a thank-you note to a local public servant or community leader.
Reflection Question: How does practicing gratitude affect your outlook on where you live?.