We go through life feeling like we’re different.

Starting at about 4th grade, children begin to see differences. That is when racism begins because prior to that age children do not see color. They simply see if you are fun to play hide & seek and tag with. Of course much more goes into racism but I will not go into that now as that is not what this article is about.

So beginning around age 9 we grow increasingly more aware of our differences. And because of “herd mentality” we try to hide these differences from our peers in an effort to conform. We are compelled to dress like them, eat what they eat, listen to the same music, and even decorate our living areas in a similar manner. Sometimes later in life, some of us embrace our differences and dress and act as we feel accurately represents what we feel on the inside.

But we still flock to people who are like us.

We humans have a self-narrative about who we think we are. As individuals, we form our identity by combining our life experiences into an ever evolving story of our self. This story we tell ourselves about our self regarding how the world works, who we are, and how we belong or don’t belong provides us with a sense of purpose for our life.

We all have an innate desire to be a part of something. To participate in meaningful social interactions where we feel we are needed and are contributing.

When we find people who are different in the same ways as us, we join together.

We join communities to become more of ourselves, to be able to subsist and thrive where we do not have self edit as much in order to fit in.

This is why new religions and cults work - the human desire to belong.

A community must have a clear set of beliefs about what it stands for, basically a view of how things should be, that is in line with our personal beliefs.

When considering a community we look for two things- are they like you and will they accept you. The answers determine if we join and become a part of said community. Successful communities are clear about what they stand for and welcome and provide support to potential members. By welcoming and supporting potential members, relationships are formed and these relationships are what keeps people in the community. This is the important part, because, well lets be honest- life happens. Life gets busy and the community would be the first thing one gives up.

But the relationships- the bonds we form with people in the community- are what keeps it thriving. We go to the community because of the social interactions with the friends we have made there. We “belong”. We nurture this because of the drive to belong.

Steemit is a perfect example of a community. We come here because as @Papa-Pepper puts so well- why post for free? We see that we can make money just for posting here. So we sign up. Then we meet people and interact with the community and form bonds. And even though we make very little in the beginning as we need to grow to earn, we keep coming because of the social bonds we make.

The need to belong is as necessary as food and air. We are social creatures, and as such must have social interactions. Preferably in person which is why we online Steemitzens have meetups and conferences. Everything at the meetup could very well be accomplished online, but we desire in-person social interaction. We don’t just desire, we need in person contact.

The loneliness epidemic grows more alarming as the age of (dis-) connectivity rises. From the outside technology appears to be bringing us together, but in all reality it is (physically) pushing us apart. Sure we can talk with people from anywhere in the world at any time, but we are doing this solo; holed up in our own apartments physically alone.

Join a community for your health. Join a community you believe in for your happiness.

Join a community where you can be you and find meaning and use.

And embrace your community members. They are different like you ;)

Help Bless @ArbitraryKitten with @Papa-Pepper CryptoJeep Challenge!

My real life horror- the accident and PTSD

• Part 1-My Near Death Experience
• Part 2- the Accident Aftermath
• Part 3- Subtract the D from PTSD but Your Brain is Still Scrambled
• Part 4-How to Heal Mind and Body After an Accident & Helpful Advice for Your Loved Ones
• Part 4.5 What to Expect With Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injury
• Part 5- The Tunnel. A Real Life Horror
• Part 6- The Journey
• Part 7-My Healing & @Papa-Pepper CryptoJeep Challenge

Trigger warning- graphic and raw.

Image via Creative Commons

What if the last person on Earth was the person you hated most? Experience Dead i. A Steemit Original Fiction Series.

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Thank you for your support, I love you guys ♡

With Love, Positivity and Good Mojo Light,
May Your Days Be Always Happy and Bright!

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