As I read this book, I become increasingly interested in how Peter Block sees and values community. I have realized so many things about how a community should work, and how we can transform things if we really commit to doing so. In class we were asked to write down a few concepts we connected with in the book. One of the concepts I wrote down was about how the "small group" is a unit of transformation. New groups that form are always looking to grow, to increase in people and support. The faster the better, because this means that people are interested in their work, and that the group is going to go somewhere. It seems that the mindset is, if you stay small and don't branch out you are weak. The work that is being done is good, but it's not accomplishing anything. This can sometimes be farthest from the truth. In a large group you might have tons of people and big plans and many leaders. However, the possibility is that you have tons of different opinions and ways of doing things, and no real direction that everyone has agreed to take. In chapter two, Block points out that while being part of a large group can give a person the sense of belonging, it also reduces the power of citizens. Now I'm not saying that large groups are bad, in fact if the members of the group are willing to serve and commit to accomplishing the goals that are set down, a lot of good can be done. However, in a smaller group a person's individuality can stand out more. Their gifts are brought to the forefront and shared with abandon. There may be differing of opinions but there is also room for deep discussions and the ability to really reach a place where everyone is in accordance on certain decisions. Block also points out that small groups value uniqueness in a person. Instead of becoming a number or a face, small groups embrace the personality and possibilities in a person.

Another part in chapter two that really stood out to me was the part about stories. Stories are such a large part of our history, and they are how we pass on to our children what we have experienced. Block says in his book that, "Stories can give us a narrative to guide and instruct us. They are crucial to our knowing who we are; they provide a sense of identity. Some stories, however, become the limitation to creating anything new." (Pgs. 34, 35) The stories we tell can limit the possibilities of our community. When we talk about the bad things that happen in one part of town, or which establishment we shouldn't frequent because of the owners; these stories are ones of limitation. First of all they are fiction. They are made up of our own observations and stories from other sources. The stories we spread to others are our creations, stuff we made up. The act of telling these stories only pushes us to think negatively on these subjects and limits us against an alternative future. I found this particularly interesting because I can recall myself spreading fiction like this to others. I'm guilty of limiting my community. This is something that really struck me, especially since I'm striving to be an educator and change the world through music. I have put limits on what can be accomplished on my own hometown, and these chapters have certainly brought that to light. They have also brought forth in my a challenge to change my thinking and my storytelling.