Do We Need Each Other ?
Do we need each other was my second choice title and although I've been mushing this post over and over in my head for a few days now, the title I preferred would have been 'For me to be me, I need you to be you' but that was just way to long and just didn't quite convey what I wanted to say, although when you look at it, it's probably more 'on the money'
Interestingly, in my mind at least, though I have mentioned it before, this is one of those occasions where I have read a couple of posts this morning that seem to touch on the subject as well.
I will try to keep it brief and adhere to a structure but I fear I may wander, it has been known to happen.
Being part of this platform has been a revelation for me, no doubt. I can honestly say that without it, I wouldn't be travelling the path I am now. Period. That's not because of the resources phenomenal though they are. It is because of you.
Now I'm not going all sentimental and I won't be putting my arms around you slurring the words
'I love you, your family' as I would like to stress a point based on my own experience.
I think I touched on it previously, where I made the comparison about comedians working their humour off others. Some, who don't have a sparring partner have enough talent for the both of them. For the majority, without writers or a sidekick, they can struggle.
I think we need each other more than we sometimes realise and I'd like to say 'on the record' that I need you, all of you. You all have something to offer. I read posts every day and they add to my life. They may make me think about something in a different way, they might teach me something I didn't know before.
Now I'm writing this, it may seem obvious to you. A couple of examples of this in action as a general philosophy, that maybe brings it more to life. An abridged version.
I have friends who own a garage. Every day, I join them for lunch. Just an hour away from everything else that is going on. An oasis of opinion. We talk about anything and everything without judgement. Yesterday I asked a question as I wanted their thoughts on a subject that I am planning to write about. I came away with enough material to start about ten articles, if not more. More than that, it gave me perspectives I would not have countenanced on my own. Different angles and viewpoints coming from four people all with diverse backgrounds and circumstances.
How many active members do we have here ? Many with varied backgrounds and life stories. All lending their own ingredients to the mixing pot of posts.
Second one, slightly skewed though. I love quotes. I am always amazed how many there are
that keep popping up that I have never heard before. This in turn makes me slightly in awe of those who come up with them. The main stream ones seem, generally, to come from people we are familiar with, even if just in name. How do they do it ? Do they just sit down and think, pondering the world around them until they have a 'Eureka' moment ? I yearned for the ability to come up with something unique that had depth and meaning but wasn't going to go and find a cave somewhere and grow my beard until I came up with something.
Then it happened. I was reading another members post and it had quite an effect on me. I left a reply and as I read through before sending it, I stopped and read it again. I liked it, which felt a bit weird, we don't always look at our words and consciously think 'Hmm, that's quite good.' Anyway, I copied and pasted it into the folder I had for other 'quotes'. Since then, I have added about a dozen more, along with plenty written by those who seem to do so with ease.
Now, whether they are good or not, who knows, I like them and on occasion I have used them in various communications and replies. The point is, each and every one is a direct result of something I have read, that someone else has written.
Had you not posted or asked a question I would not have replied. Cause and effect, one is the direct result of the other.
Whether we come up with a good one liner to a post or comment, or whether what we have read or listened to then becomes the catalyst for us to take action or move in another direction. It is all because of each other.
So, the original questions. Do we need each other ? I think so because.....
For me to be me, I need you to be you.
"There's always something new to learn and someone new to learn from."
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Usually the more ingredients in a good recipe turns it into something not worth eating. Not with WA. Just a pinch of this or a pinch of that from many sources turn into a mighty tasty dish for all.
There's a food analogy and a half. The variety is quite staggering when you think about it. So many walks of life shared in one place.
Not that I'm one to sit back in my chair and look wistfully to the stars but...I do wonder sometimes where people are when they post/reply. What do they see when they look out of their windows ?
Simiao, and others here tell us what they see, and that is powerful. Read his blogs/posts. There are some people here from every nook and cranny and they really live the stories we only hear about in the West.
People in America do not even know Ukraine has been at war with Russia for 5 years. I lived in America for 58 years and have not known a single person who died in war.
I have lost dozens of Ukrainian friends since I moved to Ukraine.
It makes my heart sick to see some of the things going on in this world. One city here in the usa is now serving halal meat in the school system. Now that is scary. I guess we will have the Sharia law folks battling PETA in the streets next. smh
Simiao came to mind also, his posts have a raw authenticity to them, yet he has such an infectious positive outlook. I have said before that WA has a pulse that runs through it and with it there is a certain amount of 'cross-pollenation' with thoughts and ideas. My post was a brief insight into how I was going about answering a question I asked myself. The problem was, when I started to formulate an answer in my mind, there were too many variables that I didn't know. Too many alternative views and perspectives. We only see the world through our own eyes and not those of others. We get a fascimile of others lives at best, unless we see it and live it for ourselves.
(Always learning, I had to look up both PETA and smh)
Having lived in America for 50+ years and now in Ukraine, it is a real eye-opener. The history, culture, traditions, and people are unbelievable. It is like living in history. And it is a $50 plane ride to any European capital, so gonna see a bunch of very cool places in the near future. I am a member of PETA. People for eating tasty animals. lol
Always cool reading your blogs and chatting with you my friend.
Twack, I wish I lived close enough to have lunch at the garage! What a resource. What an insightful post as always. You’re a real inspiration
Thanks
Joe
Thank you Joe. We have mentioned more than once, that it would be fun to put a web cam in there. I've known the owner for over thirty years which allows a certain latitude when it comes to how the conversations evolve.
Been there before Twack. Had the board of education applied to the seat of knowledge!
We think too much alike!
Joe
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I like that, it's really good Twack. Funny, quirky and heartwarming.
I was thinking through a longer answer but that may now become a blog.
Thank you for being you, so that I can be a better me.
Thank you Linda, your replies are always so kind and make me smile. With your permission I would like to add the last sentence to my folder of 'quotes'. I might actually print it off and stick it to my screen.
Feel free to use it.
I have a whole folder of quotes that were kind of downloaded to me. (weird I know). It was several years ago, I was trying to do some online work and all these different sayings kept popping into my head, it was so annoying. I couldn't concentrate or focus or write anything. I finally gave in and started typing them in, took quite a while and then suddenly I could work again. Must say they did come in handy over the years, lol.
Thank you. That's the kind of 'download' I would like. It was only after I started to consciously be aware of not having any, that they started to dribble through. As the post states though, it happens more as a consequence of reading someones elses work. A more symbiotic occurrence
It's good though, however you get them. Wonderful when something sparks inspiration.