I Joined a Pickleball Group—and Accidentally Unlocked the Secret to a Better Life

“The people you choose to walk with will always shape the direction you grow.”

Last Sunday, I walked out of church with one of those “wow, I needed that” moments buzzing in my chest. The message was all about community—how the company we keep becomes the cushion we fall on, the cheer squad we celebrate with, and sometimes the loving nudge we require when we drift off course. It made me pause and really take stock of the communities in my own life. My pickleball group immediately came to mind. It’s funny how a simple game can pull together a bunch of strangers and turn them into this kind, energetic, supportive little tribe. Someone brings extra paddles, someone else brings the good snacks, and everyone brings encouragement—even when your serve looks like it was powered by a confused wind spirit. But it works. It’s a community built on shared joy, belonging, and a whole lot of laughter.

And that feeling got me thinking about all the different types of communities we can create for ourselves—some we join intentionally, others we stumble into without even realizing how much we needed them. Spiritual communities, friend groups, professional circles, creative clubs, neighborhood groups, even a book club that started on a random Tuesday because one person couldn’t stop talking about Colleen Hoover. And then there are the “communities of two”—dating couples, marriages, or even that one best friend who knows every version of you and still sticks around. These small-but-mighty communities are sometimes the strongest ones because they see your messy, your magic, and everything in between. They hold space for joy, mourn with you when things fall apart, and aren’t afraid to dish out tough love when you’re building a mountain of excuses taller than Mount Rainier.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that community isn’t just a nice bonus in life—it’s a necessity. It’s the support system that steadies our steps when life shakes us, the chorus that cheers us forward, and the anchor that holds us grounded when stress tries to drag us under. And with the world feeling more divided and digital than ever, choosing to build or join genuine community might be one of the most life-changing decisions we can make. I decided that for the next five days, I’m going deeper into what each of these communities provides—why they’re important, how they shape our growth, and how they quietly guide us toward a happier, more positive life. If just one person reading this walks away feeling inspired to reconnect, join, or create a supportive community of their own, then that Sunday message did even more good than I realized.

Be Positive, and have an amazing day.