Conversations with people are always a source for blog postings. Talking with others - I mean listening to others - is a slice of Americana that is spontaneous and non-replicable. Regardless of the geography, we humans behave like humans predictably.
Now, I have learned that geography can make a difference in topic and tone of conversation, as can spendable income, but that is a blog topic for another day. A recent chat with two other women centered around the feeling of belonging. One of the women was decidedly ambivalent about whether or not she belonged in a particular social group that she had been spending time with. She explained that she found the others likable and friendly but that there didn't seem to be any substantive commonality upon which to build a deeper friendship beyond surface pleasantries. This conversation took place over coffee and the three of us smiled a lot and were very cordial with one another but - yes, there is a but here - after we parted and each went our separate ways, my head was spinning in thought.
I am not immune to the feeling of wanting to belong. I don't think any rational human being can escape wanting or even needing to be connected to some group or other individual. Perhaps what is also involved here is the human-nature trait of exclusion/acceptance. These traits are intricately involved and intertwined.
Hmmmm, my brain is heavy with thought with fodder for Belonging, Part Two.
Stay tuned.
Ancora imparo
