How do we shift from "Me" to "We"?
Posted on May 17th, 2008
by 
Amber
Amber
This is in Response to the Questions and Reflections for March 27, 2008:
This is an excellent question. In today's world we have many opportunities to connect that we never had before: media outlets like television and radio, and the most revolutionary perhaps, the internet. But as we explore and use these outlets we find ourselves becoming disconnected from people on a more intimate level.
It is easy to say something or be something or do something behind the safety of a computer screen. Bored, overworked, and afraid of what our lives have become in the modern world, we seek the solace of anonymity at the price of closeness.
To shift from "Me" to "We", I believe we must regain that closeness. Come together for a common good. Force one's self to be out there, smell the air and study the looks on the faces of real people.
During a time in my life when I needed this closeness, a friend and I quit our jobs and traveled around the country for 2.5 months, rarely using the internet and almost never turning on the TV. We traveled doing random acts of kindness and volunteering, accepting the kind hospitality offered to us by complete strangers as they heard what we were trying to do and opened their doors to us to help. This experience has by far changed my life and led me to where I am today. It serves as a point of reference, also, any time I forget what it felt like to connect to people - to strangers who were "friends I just hadn't met yet".
Our world is so big that this will be a difficult task. But we can start by going out there into our own small communities and learning about others around us.
It is easy to say something or be something or do something behind the safety of a computer screen. Bored, overworked, and afraid of what our lives have become in the modern world, we seek the solace of anonymity at the price of closeness.
To shift from "Me" to "We", I believe we must regain that closeness. Come together for a common good. Force one's self to be out there, smell the air and study the looks on the faces of real people.
During a time in my life when I needed this closeness, a friend and I quit our jobs and traveled around the country for 2.5 months, rarely using the internet and almost never turning on the TV. We traveled doing random acts of kindness and volunteering, accepting the kind hospitality offered to us by complete strangers as they heard what we were trying to do and opened their doors to us to help. This experience has by far changed my life and led me to where I am today. It serves as a point of reference, also, any time I forget what it felt like to connect to people - to strangers who were "friends I just hadn't met yet".
Our world is so big that this will be a difficult task. But we can start by going out there into our own small communities and learning about others around us.
Access: Public
community
July 2008
Very nice - ah, yes. I would say also that online communities such as this, GAIA, can provide a deeper connection with others if kept in the correct perspective. Some people prefer the anonymity and then you'll find that some connections are very close. I have made very close friendships, shared with people via telephone, snail mail, and have even planned a trip with a woman to support her in her spiritual process. So, there are deeper connections to be found online. I think it just really is about where one would like to place her/his attention. I encourage people who are trying to connect in a deeper way to really pay attention and listen deeply and observe those around, be it online, in their local communitiy. You'll find that door will open here for you and people will invite you into their hearts and homes. Yours is an open heart so just watch the doors open for you. You seem to be blessed with wisdom beyond your years.