Category: Belonging

How Are We Interconnected?

Deep passions can serve to divide us, including politics, religion, race, and others. And yet, we are all interconnected. In what ways?

While it might seem that there are seemingly endless ways to be different from one another, in reality we all depend and rely on each other. This is true despite our beliefs, biology, or background.

It might be tempting to think that you have little in common with a neighbor who votes for a different political party than you. And yet, you are both part of the same community. Everyone has a role to play in that community to make sure it works for us all.

Maybe you pray to a different divine being than someone in another country. You might not even speak the same language, literally. But we all live on the same planet, under the same sun, moon, and stars.

Surely you are drastically different from a member of another species! Maybe one is a mammal, and the other is a plant, or perhaps an insect. Yet, we are all part of the same ecosystem.

When so much seems to divide us, it can be helpful to think instead about all the things we have in common. And even if we lack commonalities, we are interconnected in many different ways.

What are some of the ways you are connected to the person across the street? Across the country? What ties you to the animals that visit your backyard at night? What about the fleas that live on those animals? Or the water in the ocean? How are we interconnected?

Related questions: How are humans like other animals? How are they different? What do we have in common? How do you strengthen a connection with someone?

 

Is Personal Interaction A Vanishing Practice?

As our technology has gotten more advanced, in many ways we are using it to replace human interaction. What is it costing us?

Under the right circumstances, you could go for days, or possibly even weeks, without being in the same room with someone else. After all, you can order your groceries online and have them delivered to you. Many jobs can be done remotely. Just about anything you need can be purchased through the internet.

Even if you decide to leave your house, interaction can be kept to a minimum. You can avoid any awkward chit chat with grocery store employees by opting for the self-checkout line. Wearing headphones or ear buds ensures people will not talk to you.

We’ve even, as a society, decided that a voice-to-voice phone call is too much. Civilized people text instead.

Even sex is being configured to take place alone. Porn is available to anyone at any time, and now we even have remarkably realistic sex dolls or robots.

The reason for our self-imposed isolation is fairly obvious: interacting is hard! And it can be awkward at times. Everyone has their own preferences. Some people like to talk about anything and everything; others are quiet. One person might be a hugger, while another doesn’t even like to shake hands. Maybe you don’t know what to say most of the time.

As more and more our lives are spent minimizing the time spent with others, are we getting out of the practice of making small talk? Is it harder to bond with someone now, compared to a decade ago? Is personal interaction a vanishing practice? How can we engage more with others?

Related questions: What are our responsibilities to others? How can we encourage meaningful conversation? Do you feel lonely? What role does community play in your life?

What Role Does Community Play In Your Life?

A vibrant community is one of the most valuable assets a person can have. What role does community play in your life?

As the saying goes, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” The word “together” could mean with family, or friends, or neighbors.

These are all types of community to which you might belong. Examples of other such groups might include your church, a book club, or a recreational sports league (among many, many others).

A more far-ranging definition of community, however, would include people you don’t necessarily know personally. Think of someone, for instance, who owns a small business locally, even if you don’t peruse it yourself. That store is an important part of your local economy, providing services to others, even if not you.

There are also community events. These can provide an opportunity for individuals to meet and mingle, sharing interests and building bonds. Such events might be organized around music, movies, artistic expression, food, or many others.

Including the groups and events that are going on all around you at various times, where do they fit in your life? Are you active in your community, or is it largely irrelevant to you? Do you share a sense of identity with your neighborhood, district, or town? Or is your sense of identity more personal and individual?

In short, what does your community do for you, and what do you do for your community?

Related questions: What makes a community? What are you doing to build community? What are our responsibilities to others?

How Has Remote Work Impacted Your Friendships?

With remote work gaining popularity due to the pandemic, some employers are worried about weakening relationships between employees. But could it be impacting friendships?

For many adults, the workplace is one of the only places to consistently meet new people. Some coworkers may become friendly, and might even go so far as to socialize together outside of the office. Many deep, meaningful friendships have started in the halls at work.

Remote work threatens to change that. If you only interact with people over an online chat or in a group conference call, there are fewer opportunities to develop relationships.

Employers fear that may lead to a lack of cohesion in work-based teams. That may be the case, but it may also lead to shallow, superficial interpersonal relationships that never have the chance to grow into something deeper.

Studies have shown that the number of people — particularly men — suffering from loneliness and depression is on the rise. If one of the few opportunities for making friends is reduced or even removed, what might that mean for this data?

Of course, this concern may be overblown. People can make real, strong connections with people they mostly interact with online. It is also true that a workplace may not be the best place to look for friendships.

What do you think? Is working remotely leading to weaker connections between people, and possibly fewer friendships? Or should that be irrelevant to making friends?

Related questions: How does your personal life influence your work life? How has remote work changed your workplace culture? What makes a friendship? How do you make friends as an adult?

Hugs Or Kisses?

When you show affection, do you prefer to give (or receive) hugs or kisses? Is your answer culturally driven, or merely a personal preference?

Share why if you wish.

Hugs Or Kisses?
Results