Have you noticed?
It's starting to become a movement. Communities everywhere, especially at the workplace. Yet, are we not forgetting something crucial?
A community is a self-driven colony, powered by and nurtured for by the very people partaking in it. It is a place for debate, sharing knowledge, to participate in and host activities, and — perhaps most importantly — to be yourself. A community thrives on the unique contributions that each member has to offer, allowing for free expression without the need of a structural form for alignment. All, and more, for the greater good of the community. A community is a physical expression of our unconscious behavior, deeply rooted in nature.
Everything I just said is bullshit!
Yet, if you agree with me on my prior definition of what a community is, then why do we not live by it?
Instead, a community is nothing more than a hub conducting one-way communication, similar to how a newsletter is distributed. Events are hosted by the apparent 'owner' of the community, with its people passively participating. Rules and 'guide'-lines actively demote engagement and creative thought. Informal conversations are stale and always gravitate towards non-sense topics like the state of the weather or one's personal conditions outside of the community. There is no time — nor desire — to debate controversial topics, let alone the availability of a safe environment to allow for such a thing. Personal development and personal reflection are not promoted nor stimulated.
This 'modern' community is established upon a fabricated belief system with its origin far outside of the natural body, soul and spirit connection. With technology at its very center, our crooked concept of 'community' strives to break the link between the body and the soul, placing technology firmly in between the two. Contaminating our conscious and unconscious thought with selective 'information'. A marvelous act of manipulation that is not easily noticeable. Neither does its influence confine itself to our view of 'community' alone.
While this message sounds rather pessimistic, I can assure you that optimism without self-awareness is even worse. Look around and observe what is happening. Your world is literally falling apart around you. It takes provocative thought and action to challenge the status quo. Without it, we would all be sticking our heads into the sand waiting for someone, or something, to give us our next command.
Yet, besides the direction we unconsciously seem to be taking, I remain hopeful. Knowing that what is deeply rooted in human nature will always prevail when the situation is dire enough: the long-awaited, and hopefully, last spark.
Right now, and more than ever before, we have the opportunity to create real communities. Ones that are founded by, and thrive on, the unique individuals in it. People coming together from an intense internal desire to be themselves and around others who understand their weirdness. Like-minded, zebras among zebras, mavericks to mavericks.
— Wout
If you ever feel stuck in your life or career, know that clarity is always within reach. Sometimes, all it takes is a new perspective to unlock the next step forward. Don't hesitate to connect — whether it's for advice, a conversation, or simply to gain insight. Take care, and remember: the real answers often lie beneath the surface.
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