Reflections on not enough

in #philosophy8 years ago

When I woke this morning I realised that my account now has over 3000 followers, something that I find quite strange. It made me think about my social journey a little and where it started, where it travelled and, where it will lead.

The foray into society was pretty rough and it was in kindergarten that I discovered the cruelty of humanity, and it was there I first considered how much control society has over dictating the 'right and wrong' of our perceptions. At 4, I found out that I was wrong because my skin colour was not the same as all the others.

This set the tone for the majority of my primary school life where I spent most of the time alone reading or, with my back against the wall watching childhood pass-by from the sidelines. I thought it much easier to do this than face the continual pressures of being different from the group.

It was in high school I realised how fickle society's perceptions are and how quickly they can change as with a slight diversity of ethnicity introduced and an increase in information, my position shifted. I became popular. Well, amongst the girls. Good times to be sure but, it also made me think of how quickly minds and emotions can be redirected and although the winds benefited me in the moment, what about the next to come?

And whilst at University, some planes hit some buildings and another shift took place, one that still continues today to a large degree. Even though my group of friends had accepted me, I was still met with suspicion from strangers and at times, hostility. Oh, I am not religious in anyway and would consider myself agnostic on the existence of a creator of any sort, name or form. That reality doesn't alter perceptions of some people's reality though, I am still brown.

These experiences have made me cautious in trusting society's opinions and directions as a few events, a little more or too little information and the path changes again. It has meant that for a lot of the time, I actually spent detached from society with the view that there is little benefit for me to be part of a community who is nothing more than driven by emotional winds.

The last 15 years in Finland though I have been buying-in to the community as I came to the conclusion that if it can shift, negatively, it can also shift positively. If it can oppress, it can also empower. And, if I am unwilling, how can I expect anyone else to be? Responsibility of my position in the community finally kicked in and, I began to move.

I have carried this through to Steemit and my interactions here where I attempt to move myself by assisting others to move and even though the progress is much slower than moving alone, the shift has the potential to empower more and include more in active progression. There is a long way to go. In fact, there is an unknown and likely endless way to go in the improvement of community, society, culture and humanity but, it starts with myself.

I am very grateful for the opportunities I have here and the support I enjoy and I feel that what I offer does have an effect or, is starting to have an effect anyway. My plan forward is to keep exploring, keep playing, keep supporting the ways I can and perhaps create a better environment, a fuller playground for those to come. It is a step on the path for now but, not enough for the future.

A few months ago I was thinking of running some kind of competition or delegation giveaway for the 3000 mark but I did that the other day and have no Steem Power to give, so...

Thanks for being here.

Taraz
[ a Steemit original ]

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Congrats on 3k! :)

Thank you very much (as always) :)

I came to the conclusion that if it can shift, negatively, it can also shift positively. If it can oppress, it can also empower. And, if I am unwilling, how can I expect anyone else to be? Responsibility of my position in the community finally kicked in and, I began to move.

Such a great outlook. I really need to work on building that mindset within myself. There are times where I absolutely find myself closed-minded, and others where I am open to anything. Sure, there is always a balance (or so we're told), but all it takes is a little more self awareness each day and I think I'll be able to get better at being a better individual.

Cheers! Congrats on 3k!

but all it takes is a little more self awareness each day and I think I'll be able to get better at being a better individual.

It really is this simple.

Hey, that's awesome, dude! Congratulations on hitting 3k!

Also, just gotta say I think it's ridiculous that people would be willing to be hostile against you because of your skin color. I know there are people out there who are shitty enough to do that kind of thing, but it really makes me sad that those kinds of people even exist. No reason to treat others harshly based on the actions of a select few assholes. Sorry you had to deal with that kind of crap, hope nothing like that has happened to you in recent years at least.

It does happen from time to time but, considering the decade and where I grew up, it is much rarer now. It actually taught me a lot about people and life and got me to think differently so, I am largely thankful for the experiences as overall, I am better for it.

Well, I'm glad to hear that you were able to take away something positive from an experience like that at least, man. Still, I really wish people would just chill the hell out and let everyone do their own thing and not harass/be awful to one another. More than likely that's just wishful thinking on my part, but, yeah. Again, glad you're past that all and still have a good outlook on life/people :)

Oh, this pic is from Finland.

Haha, I figured it was this time around. I would assume pretty, lush forest like this aren't all that common there :P

Great picture brother. I think reflection photographs are the best. Here have a look at some of mine.
IMG_20180212_113744076~2.jpg
IMG_20180212_113053170~2.jpg

Well you're experience may not be that good, but what can I say? It's the experience of things that are disgusting and hurting that changes people perspective, and prepare them for things that may happen in the future.

Congratulations on an amazing milestone you've reached it's a really big feat to achieve cheers!

You are loved by many, congratulations on your 3000 followers. :) Thank you for supporting the community @tarazkp! ♥

The society is a really powerful weapon and can cause both good and bad effects depending on who controls it. Growing up i found it very hard to make friends so am usually alone, because most people judge you from where you come from not from who you're. Congrats on your journey so far

It is the way of the world but don't think it has to be this way.

Sorry to hear that .
prejudices are a plague upon humankind . More destruction have been caused by it . Not to measure if we could , the advances we could have made without it. I have live all over this planet and have seen nearly all of its ugliness . It has always amazed me what one person can inflect on another . From facebook bulling to throwing a LGBT off a building. I can't understand it .

I'll stand shoulder to shoulder with you , side by side and so will others .

I think that there is also a lot of valuable learning in the experience and perhaps in some ways, experiencing it is a 'necessary evil' to give the drive to work toward a better way.

Nice job!
I just hit 2300 followers this morning.
Where do you like to go to communicate more directly with other steemians?
When I first joined it was chat, but that wore out on me quickly. Now I spend most of my time on discord, especially because they have voice chat.
I've definitely had steady growth taking the time to communicate regularly off the platform.
Anyway...good job.

Thanks.

Because of my setup at home I can pretty much only use use chat so am mostly over at steemit.chat under the same name daily. I check in on discord occasionally too - tarazkp#5792

Off platform is where I met and got to know lots of great people.

Join us in steemspeak.com sometime

I became popular. Well, amongst the girls.

Sounds like your complaining that it was the girls who liked you! :D

I feel the injustices done to you by the society during your childhood. How fickle society's perceptions are can be also seen from the things done in WWII, and many other wars, for that matter. Raising awareness that we are all human and that skin color or religion or nationality are just superficial things is important for our global culture and well-being.

If you think a minute about religions, for example, it is actually easy to conclude that most of them is actually pretty much the same: there is someone/something out there that created us and is watching us, if we behave well we will have a good afterlife, if we do bad things we will have a bad afterlife. How cares is the name Buddha or Allah, Bible or Quran, Paradise or Valhalla?

Cheers! : )

Sounds like your complaining that it was the girls who liked you! :D

I did say, "Good times to be sure" also :)

that most of them is actually pretty much the same: there is someone/something out there that created us and is watching us

Yes, and although agnostic on the matter, if there is something out there judging us, I will err on the side that it will not be too harsh on those doing the best they can and, if there is nothing out there, I will have lived doing the best I can. Is or not, doesn't change my actions.

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