So here I am,once again, with a problem that can be resolved, but merely by something that is higher than I, a change in perspective and an inward evaluation.
The last couple weeks have been, well...difficult. Being a full-time student and an employee or in others cases: a parent, a full-time employee, or whatever your occupation may be; this can relate to you.
Humans. We are all humans I would like to assume (except for the occasional few who we think may be from a different planet) , but we all have one thing in common: each other.
Humans constantly want to and desire to be connected to other humans. Studies have shown that having connections and relations with others will decrease your health risks, stress factors and increase the longevity of your life.
With that being said, what are the sacrifices we are willing to make to have these bonds with other homo-sapiens. Would we murder someone for acceptance? Would we steal to make to fit into a group?
I mean, these are extreme examples, so let me get down to a level where I think we can all relate.
Would you ever join in with gossip so you don't look like the odd one out? Would you ever go to a party because you want to fit in even though that's against your moral beliefs? Would you ever curse to make your coworkers think you're 'cool'? Would you spread a rumor to get someone to notice you?
I'm sure you can relate to one of these. I know I can relate to all of them. I'm guilty as charged, but that can and has been changing over time.
Some of this we blame on immaturity, jealousy and maybe lack of judgement on the situation. In the long run, these extremities we go to in order to get the temporary satisfaction of people not thinking illy of us; aren't helping.
Connections are meant to be healthy. Connections with other people don't have to look like gossip, rumors, envy, or going somewhere you shouldn't. We are meant to make connections so we can grow and learn and be better from each other. Being connected with others and wanting 'fit in' isn't a new age idea. This has been around since the beginning of time. God gave Eve to Adam in the garden. Jesus had a group of disciples and friends He did almost everything with. Connections are real and they are meant to happen, but I think sometimes we lack an understanding of what we are doing when we are agreeing with a group of people we barely know that Sally is 'weird' because she dresses differently than you. Maybe Sally can't afford new clothes because she got laid off at work or maybe no one ever took the time to connect with her on a deeper level to teach her how to properly dress because no one ever cared. I think it's eye opening to step out of our comfort zones and connect with someone we usually wouldn't or to keep our mouths shut when someone's spreading rumors or to stand up for what is morally right.
Like I said, we are all humans and all humans want to feel and be connected.
So, the next time you want to feel 'connected' with someone or a group of someone's, practice integrity, be a morally sound connector, stand up for what's right, get plugged in to conversations for the right reasons and dig a little deeper for a connection that will never get disconnected.
