My thoughts on individuality

My dear Praise,

I thought it wise, today, to write my letter after church time.

Today's Sunday—the one day millions of people reflect on their individuality for various reasons.

When I thought about this topic, I had a thousand and one things to say against it—until yesterday when I discovered that I was looking at one side of one side of one side of the coin.

I write this from a relative wealth of experience. Christian believers—current, previous and fence-sitting—understand the Bible's insistence of communal fellowship. The writer to Hebrews said "and do not forsake the gathering of the brethren".

Throughout the Old Testament, from the canonicals of Moses, to the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, congregations were a big deal. It was an important part of worship.

At the same time, a personal relationship with God was not deemed any less important. David, Elijah, Elisha, Nehemiah, Isaiah, Jesus, Paul, Peter, John, and a host of others had this personal, individual relationship with God.

Going by the account of the Bible, it is safe to say that, God planned for a personal relationship before he did "communal". Easy proof would be the individual sacrifices of Cain and Abel.

Today is not to preach. Lol. Far from that, I promise you.

Today is to address the question, why? Why do a set of people, today, try to draw a line between community and the individual? Why do we think that to be one, you can't be the other?

"You'll go fast alone, you'll go far together" and several other quotes try to build a subtle difference. It becomes even harder on companies when they have to pick between "ownership" and "teamwork".

Why do people have a problem with community? Why do they have an even bigger problem with individuality? Why do we ignore the fact that the human is as much communal, as he is individual?

I like to read the Ubuntu proverb as "we are because you are"; that community is a product of true, authentic individuality—a consensus actually.

Today, when someone says "do you"—usually said in context, no matter what context it is—it is important to note that "what is good for you doesn't make it good".

Serial killers kill to find a release and satisfy their urges. Killing is good for them. Yet, it doesn't necessarily make killing good. It is exactly how I view the term "do you".

At what point do you infuse empathy for others in your drive to be empathetic?

As I write, the popular statement, "love your neighbour as yourself" brings to mind how interdependent the two concepts are—individuality and community.

Being yourself is interdependent on the community you're in—and vice versa. You cannot truly be alone. Unfortunately, the world isn't setup that way.

The universe isn't.

The lion—the infamous king of the jungle leads a pride. Yet, it doesn't make him any less of a king that he depends on his pride, primarily, for food.

Why find a black and white argument, when you can find a sweet spot where both makes sense?

You can drill down on your sense of individuality as a contribution to the community as a whole. The community can flourish to contribute to your individuality as a person.

You can be alone, and not have to be lonely.

Individuality and community is yin-yang, push and pull, balanced forces of human survival.

I hope you cherish your community (friends, relationships, groups, etc) and live your own life on your own terms. And when there's conflict, I hope you remember to choose what's good for you and the community you're a part of.

Happy Sunday.

Ciao.

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