THE CONNECTION SERIES: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE HUMAN?

WE ARE IMPERFECT

The beautiful tragedy of being human is to be uniquely imperfect.

It is inevitable that:

• We will make mistakes and bad decisions.

• We will not always make the right and/or best/optimal decisions.

• We will hurt others (physically and/or emotionally, and mostly not intentionally).

• We will have vices (addictions, alcohol, sex, gambling, drugs, smoking/vaping, etc)

• We will experience and face hardships and suffering.

• We will not be 100% happy with ourselves.

These are all inherent experiences that everyone shares in their own unique journey through life. It is a hilarious yet tragic truth of our existence that we all have to face the challenges and adversity of our unique imperfections.

It is something that we all have to learn to accept and come to peace with because the alternative is to fight and chase an neverending and futile battle to achieve something unachievable.

Perfection...

This doesn't mean to become complacent, lazy and lose hope. In fact, it should give us hope to know that while we are all imperfect, we all are on the beautiful journey of personal development and discovery, in spite of this suffering and pain.

That no matter how many times we stumble in life, we will and can rise again if we can accept the suffering and work/learn. Just as we learned to do when we were a baby.

WE ARE UNIQUE

We don't get to choose to be born. We don't get to choose our parents or the environment that we are born into. We don't get to choose our attributes and personality.

Yet it is exactly these distinct and uncontrollable factors that make us unique and who we are. Whether that is how we experience our emotions, our preferences or our unique physical characteristics and features, that is the hand that we are dealt.

A beautiful, distinct human that is one of a kind.

Yet, many people can be found to be envious of others and ashamed of themselves. A rejection of their unique imperfections.

Some go to the extent of modifying the physical vessel of their mind and soul into the likeness of others. Some conform their behaviours and preferences to what we think is "cool" and "popular". Some do both and put on a facade, living for others and envy. Hoping that doing so will bring them happiness.

Yet in the end, all this achieves is the rejection and neglect of our true selves. Until we feel nothing but a void of emptiness and apathy.

This is why we must be kind to ourselves. To nourish the unique identity we have with love, freedom and acceptance. To cultivate a lifestyle that will allow our true selves to grow and blossom.

To live a meaningful and fulfilling life true to ourselves and our principles.

While we are each on our unique individual journeys filled with perils and hardships, It doesn't mean that we will always have to travel alone. Travelling and meeting with others will allow us to work together to navigate and overcome challenges and obstacles.

To learn from and support each other.

Whether that is through hearing a different perspective or learning from the experiences and wisdom of others. Connecting with others is an invaluable way to not just learn more about ourselves and the world but to also make our journey a little bit more enjoyable, bearable and meaningful.

To learn to and be able to play and love.

No matter our circumstances or age, seeking to connect with others and new experiences should be something that we are always exploring.

After all we are social creatures.

We've talked about our unique imperfections and the inevitable suffering and hardships that we will experience, but one thing that will always be true, is that we will always have a choice.

When confronted with these challenges, we face the temptation of "playing the victim". To conceding our autonomy and choice to seek refuge from the pain and suffering, by dwelling in a self-inflicted delusion of powerlessness.

"It doesn't matter what I do or say, it won't make a difference and I can't change anything anyways".

"It wasn't my fault, the system is the problem".

"My luck is horrible, I'm not tall enough, strong enough, beautiful enough, to have success, happiness and love".

This delusional cycle of thinking leads to a self-fulfilling prophecy. We stop doing the things that we love and are passionate about. We don't pursue opportunities to learn and to meet new people. We spend our time ruminating and complaining about our powerlessness, until we become a toxic negative husk of our former selves.

The reality is we always have a choice. We can choose to take up accountability. To make a difference through small, positive and meaningful decisions. To choose to be positive. To learn, grow, explore and connect with experiences and others that will enrich and empower us.

WE HAVE A CHOICE

WE ARE SOCIAL CREATURES

We are imperfect.

We are unique.

We have a choice.

We are social creatures.

This is what makes us human.