Ampersand Answers: How to Belong

 Humanity is our race,
Love is our religion.
MEInk, 1.19.26, MLK Day 

The Question: 

How do I figure out where I belong? 

&mpersand Answers: 

What a good question. Belonging—or I should say, the feeling of belonging—is one that humankind seeks naturally. We are group creatures. Yes, even the lone wolves. 

One of the qualities of the divide mentality (versus the unite mentality) is that people tend to look for more and more specialized groups to which to belong. It’s one of the falls-out to our algorithmic world—ads tailored to your buying habits. Groups that match you perfectly. 

Some people call those bubbles. Discreet groups with a great many criteria that must be met in order to belong. 

As I’m sure you know, I’m a fan of the unite mentality. What that means to me is to go big first. Go to the largest group where you feel you belong. Humanity is good—if you’re human. That way you always belong. 

You see, the thing is, that when criteria become more and more divisive (read: specialized) fewer and fewer people qualify. 

I’m a redhead. I belong with redheads.
But I’m also a lefty. I belong with lefties.
I also have green eyes. 

But what happens when I say redheads, who are lefties. Ah, a much smaller group. Oh, but … left-handed redheads with green eyes … smaller still. 

I could go on, but you take my point. 

Go big, unite, first. Then within that largest of bubbles, find smaller groups with whom you belong.  

Love is another good one.

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