On My Own
My first year at college —- home was in the rear-view mirror and independence in the windshield.
No longer would I need permission to stay up late; eat whatever I want; hang out with the friends my parent did not like; wait my turn because it would always be my turn. Our current administration seems to have positioned itself in that immature frame of mind. No thought to the value of supporting only the intoxication of being independent. With all the trappings of independence and none of the responsibilities who would not want to be independent. As a country, we have often misconstrued isolated independence with global responsibility.
Independence is great but the real goal is being global. Independence does not mean you give up on empathy. The global empathic human reaches out and understands that assets can be helpful to others and the reciprocal can be true thus creating a symbiotic relationship. Using words of understanding, not bluster, helps find solutions through compromise. Having a global view does not sacrifice independence it solidifies it.
I am alone this Christmas Day. I am independent, on my own, but I have been talking to my family and friends, experiencing my world globally. Independent but dependent on their love and support. Together we try in little ways during a difficult time to support, understand, and share.
I need help with the laundry; it’s not really fun cooking for one; I need a doctor; a dentist. My independent self needs a lot of help from friends, family, and people who support my independence. As a nation, we need that too. The flaw of isolationist thinking is that we are on our own. We are a big country with people, things, armies, flags, and stuff beyond imagination BUT we need others. It is imperative to embrace the idea of being together because we are not alone.
On this Christmas 2020 we are caught in the swirl of uncertainty, let us savor our independence, but remember globalization does not mean we lose it. What it does mean is we are not alone, not now and not ever. The sooner we embrace our common needs, the sooner we will find help when needed and the opportunity to give help when asked.
If we are alone Christmas can feel a little melancholy not because we are alone but because we feel the blessings of independence but the emptiness of not being able to share. It is the season of sharing and receiving --- The global citizen gives and receives.
“Oh, tidings of comfort and joy – comfort and joy….”