Is It We or Me?
THE MYSTERY SURROUNDING “WE” & “ME”
Q: Is it We or Me?
A: I have a particular writing style, some of you may enjoy it, others have strong opinions around the ways in which I share. One friend, in particular, does not love how I write in the context of “we” in that it assumes I am speaking for both he, I and everyone else. I have thoughts on this…
As I tend to write with “we”, I am often seeking the unifying element that connects us as human beings. We are all very different, yes, yet I believe that we are more similar than what meets the eye. Sure, our hair, skin, culture, names, pasts, environments, etc are all unique and quite different from others who share life on this planet. And…there are aspects that are incredibly human that we share, those that live under the skin, in our spectrum of emotions, desires, dreams, tendencies, habits, and behaviors. There is an origin of being where we all unite and I prefer to spend time there.
This is a journal, yes, so I can and do write from “I” as well. However, I tend to write about things that we share and have in common, characteristics of the human psyche that are universal in nature. And sometimes I do write about my life and vision as well. However, I could choose to write all about “me, myself, and I”, as one my teachers refers to as a trinity of ego, but I find that incredibly boring.
WHERE DID “WE” ORIGINATE?
Mythology is a great example of we-ness. How many creation myths from all over the world have similar symbology woven throughout? Or how is it that every culture has a creation myth? Is it written that there must be one? Or are we innately curious, seeking the meaning of this mysterious life and in need of touching into where we came from so we can bring it to life in the form of a story?
Or our emotions...some cultures may disregard certain emotions. It may not be allowed to show anger or sadness, others may not show much elation. However, as humans we are quite malleable and eventually, when poked and prodded enough, we may not be able to withstand feeling anger. If given the space of safety, we might finally be able to access tears that have been hidden within for a lifetime. Or if encouraged to touch the joy that exists within our heart from another’s kindness, elation may actually occur.
My studies of humans began when I was a child and I continued learning about them as I trial-ed and tribulated my way through high school and into my twenties. I was always a seeker and knew that I was a laboratory of sorts and even though there was only one of me, there were things that were inherently tied to “we”. For example, we all have a need to belong in some capacity.
“WE” VS. “ME”: GRADE SCHOOL EDITION
Did you ever spend time with the “popular girl” at your elementary or middle school? The one who could lift you to high status one day and then drop you into isolation the next? I remember her too. One of my first lessons in the “we” process was watching her best friend become less popular than lunch meat after one uncool “mistake”. It was very sad and I felt torn because the popular girl wanted to befriend me in a more intimate way at the same time. I could smell my inevitable fate as I observed her disregard her yesterday-bestie and there was still a yearning within me to belong. I could see it in me and I could see it in the one left behind as well. I could even see it in the popular girl who was aching to fulfill a void that her home couldn’t provide. It was a lot to hold in 3rd grade, I am sure you can relate in your own way...
After thousands of observations relating to humans throughout my life, I now spend the majority of my time studying the “we” inside of me as I travel through the inner world while living in the outer world. Inner worlds (plural) are more like it, so vast, beyond the wildest imagination, beyond any concept of a name, skin color, tone of voice, or background that could ever be. Deeper into the mystery, there is so much to learn, so much to observe, welcoming the moments of surpassing the “me” and becoming the “we”.
What ignites me from within is that we are more alike than different while simultaneously utterly unique and each of us only occurs once in forever. How amazing is this juxtaposition?
We cannot change the world until we accept we are the world. This is the new conversation.
