Actions have consequences. And now in this gilded age of social media so do words. Sticks and stones may break one's bones but words may break one's will to live. I believe that in adolescence we want to be liked or even loved. We want to be accepted. The urge to assimilate can be overwhelming. Anyone that dares to march out of step with this urge is somehow deemed unworthy of our acceptance. Praise is immediately spared. Why? Well, what will the others think? Will my praise be spared if I don't spare praise of the ones who dare to differ from the agreed status quo?
I believe these questions are the very beginning of the demise of happiness and harmony and the planting of the seeds of fear and paranoia and ultimately of destruction. We are more fragile then we would care to admit and no one cares to freely announce their own shortcomings. As we get older, the urge to assimilate begins to evaporate but I believe it does not disappear altogether. That moment will arrive soon enough. Meanwhile, we are supposed to become more understanding and more willing to look past the perceived flaws of others. Being out of step is not supposed to be that important as long we still can become productive members of society.
However, this progression appears to be actually regressing as of late. Differences are being pointed out and more of us are learning how to refuse the natural order of progress and backslide into the process of assimilating again. This is not tied to just one ideology either. Both sides are desperately searching for their safe space again. The ultimate safe space is the womb, isn't it? And if one decides to travel the other direction, isn't the ultimate safe space is the great beyond? Is meeting somewhere in between now considered taboo? Is compromise the ultimate sin?
Here is a quote that I hope will provide some comfort and just maybe some reconsideration:
"A ship is safe in the harbor, but that is not what ships are made for."
-John Augustus Shedd
