Community of One?
Perhaps one of the most difficult things about youth is knowing what you are looking for, but not knowing where to find it. Perhaps even more difficult is knowing you are looking for something, but not knowing what it is. All are in search of a sympatico force, something that makes one feel connected by rhythmic motion in the world...that our presence matters and affects what is around us.
That being said, what does it really mean to be alone? People talk about feeling alone, being 'alone in a crowd' or 'one is a lonely number.' But is it really? Being alone means a time to clear your head. If one knows oneself, one is able to predict what you will get-hopefully most of us know ourselves well enough to be predictable. This is a good thing- we know what we like to eat, what we like to do in our own space, how to be comfortable at home after a long day....
So why the need to connect with others?
I know that people are such intricate, complex beings. The emotional inner blueprint is quite simply fascinating. It's difficult to match up with another, to be in the same place at the same time enough to resonate with them. Is this why we crave an ultimate partner, why we gamble our singlehood to have a chance at building a new world with another person that takes two people's needs into account? I think so....because it is not enough to just be in a room with someone. We can have true and sometimes better solace when we are alone....but to connect with another, not just over ideas or opinions, but through a true model of seeking to understand...that is the beginning of creating what could be a large world between a mere two people.
So why is it so powerful? Because individuals need an audience. We need a platform full of safe space to truly grow and actualize...and though we don't all know how to do it, I believe what we want is to be sought after to be understood.
So call me "Carrie Bradshaw Leah" (I really don't mind) but knowing that you have a place to come home to is great. Some of us hope that home ends up being in a 'found other'...but for others, and at least for now, that home could be friends, community, a job or a really great apartment. Whatever it is for you, may you find solace in the moment of your current home that you've created....and may you find the audience, playmate or playground you are looking for...we all need a place to exhale and put our feet up.
Perhaps one of the most difficult things about youth is knowing what you are looking for, but not knowing where to find it. Perhaps even more difficult is knowing you are looking for something, but not knowing what it is. All are in search of a sympatico force, something that makes one feel connected by rhythmic motion in the world...that our presence matters and affects what is around us.
That being said, what does it really mean to be alone? People talk about feeling alone, being 'alone in a crowd' or 'one is a lonely number.' But is it really? Being alone means a time to clear your head. If one knows oneself, one is able to predict what you will get-hopefully most of us know ourselves well enough to be predictable. This is a good thing- we know what we like to eat, what we like to do in our own space, how to be comfortable at home after a long day....
So why the need to connect with others?
I know that people are such intricate, complex beings. The emotional inner blueprint is quite simply fascinating. It's difficult to match up with another, to be in the same place at the same time enough to resonate with them. Is this why we crave an ultimate partner, why we gamble our singlehood to have a chance at building a new world with another person that takes two people's needs into account? I think so....because it is not enough to just be in a room with someone. We can have true and sometimes better solace when we are alone....but to connect with another, not just over ideas or opinions, but through a true model of seeking to understand...that is the beginning of creating what could be a large world between a mere two people.
So why is it so powerful? Because individuals need an audience. We need a platform full of safe space to truly grow and actualize...and though we don't all know how to do it, I believe what we want is to be sought after to be understood.
So call me "Carrie Bradshaw Leah" (I really don't mind) but knowing that you have a place to come home to is great. Some of us hope that home ends up being in a 'found other'...but for others, and at least for now, that home could be friends, community, a job or a really great apartment. Whatever it is for you, may you find solace in the moment of your current home that you've created....and may you find the audience, playmate or playground you are looking for...we all need a place to exhale and put our feet up.
posted by ImperfectArtist at 8:58 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home