You know, “It’s in the ordinary moments of caring” where the real magic of community happens. It’s not about big programs or initiatives. It’s about the small, everyday stuff that we often overlook, the stuff that actually builds the social fabric that holds us all together.
Share Image Quote:
Table of Contents
Meaning
The core message is simple but profound: the foundation of a strong, resilient community isn’t built on grand gestures, but on the small, often unnoticed acts of kindness and mutual support between neighbors.
Explanation
Look, I’ve seen this play out in my own work for years. We get so caught up looking for the “extraordinary”—the big grant, the new community center—that we miss the goldmine right under our noses. It’s the shared cup of sugar, the offer to watch a kid for 20 minutes, the simple act of asking “How are you, really?” and meaning it. These tiny threads, when woven together day after day, create an unbreakable fabric of trust and interdependence. That’s the “abundant community” they’re talking about. It’s not a place with more stuff; it’s a place with more connection.
Quote Summary
Reading Level66
Aesthetic Score86
Origin & Factcheck
This quote comes straight from John McKnight and Peter Block’s 2010 book, *The Abundant Community: Awakening the Power of Families and Neighborhoods*. It’s a cornerstone of their work in asset-based community development, primarily in the U.S. context. You won’t find it misattributed to someone else because it’s so central to their specific philosophy.
Attribution Summary
Author Bio
John McKnight, Professor Emeritus at Northwestern University had spent decades of his life helping people rediscover the power of relationships. Being, co-founder of the ABCD Institute, his core idea revolves around communities that grows by identifying and connecting their assets. You’ll find the John McKnight book list here which are anchored by Building Communities from the Inside Out, The Careless Society, The Abundant Community, and The Connected Community.
| Official Website
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | It’s in the ordinary moments of caring that extraordinary communities are born |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2010; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9781605095844; Last edition: 2012; Number of pages: 192. |
| Where is it? | Chapter: Extraordinary in the Ordinary, Approximate page from 2012 edition: 219 |
Context
In the book, McKnight and Block are pushing back hard against what they call the “consumer society,” where we outsource our care to professionals and systems. The quote is their rallying cry. They argue that our neighborhoods are already full of untapped skills, gifts, and capacity—the real abundance. The book is a manual for shifting from a mindset of “what’s wrong and who can fix it” to “what’s right here and who can we connect?”
Usage Examples
So how do you actually use this? It’s a mindset shift more than a tool.
- For Community Organizers: Stop leading with problems. Start by hosting a “gifts inventory” where neighbors share what they’re good at—from gardening to fixing bikes to storytelling. You’re building on assets, not deficits.
- For Local Leaders (like you): In your next meeting, reframe the conversation. Instead of “We need a program for isolated seniors,” ask “How can we create more opportunities for ordinary moments of connection between our elders and other folks on the block?” It changes everything.
- For Just About Anyone: The next time you’re in your neighborhood, do one small, ordinary thing. Introduce yourself to someone you always nod at. It feels awkward for a second, but that’s the work. That’s the seed.
To whom it appeals?
Share This Quote Image & Motivate
Motivation Score84
Popularity Score79
Shareability Score85
FAQ
Question: But what about serious problems that need professional help?
Answer: Absolutely, professionals are vital. But this philosophy says don’t start there. A strong community of mutual care is the first and most effective line of defense. It prevents isolation, which is often the root of so many other issues. Professionals then become a support to the community, not a replacement for it.
Question: This sounds nice, but is it really practical in a busy, disconnected world?
Answer: It’s the *only* practical response. Relying solely on systems and institutions is what’s impractical—it’s expensive, slow, and often impersonal. The “ordinary moments” approach is hyper-efficient. It leverages the existing social capital that’s already there, waiting to be activated. It’s about working smarter, not harder.
Question: How is this different from just being a “good neighbor”?
Answer: It’s the intentionality behind it. Being a good neighbor is individual. This is about recognizing that these individual acts are a collective superpower. It’s moving from random acts of kindness to a deliberate culture of connection. You’re not just being nice; you’re actively participating in building a specific kind of world, right on your street.
Similar Quotes
Every neighborhood has within it the gifts needed… It’s a powerful idea that shifts our focus from what’s missing to what’s already there. This isn’t just feel-good theory; it’s a…
Our capacity to care defines the boundaries is a powerful truth. It means our community isn’t a place on a map, but a space created by our active concern for…
You know, “The spirit of abundance lives wherever people gather…” is one of those quotes that completely reframes how we think about community. It’s not about what we lack, but…
True community demands both sacrifice and empathy isn’t just a nice idea—it’s the operating system for real human connection. It explains why some groups thrive while others just… exist. Let’s…
In an abundant community, every person matters because it’s not about what we lack, but about the incredible gifts we already have. It’s a powerful shift from seeing needs to…
