Global Tribe – Is External Definition & Social A Cause of Self-Suffering?

It would appear that as a whole there is more fear in society than ever before. Many have stated that there is less to be fearful of than ever before. As it relates to our ability to survive there may be some truth to such claims. However, if people are living in greater fear than ever before what is going on.

Depression is on the rise despite the numerous methods of treatment available. There is more opportunity at our finger tips than ever before. For those fortunate to have basic needs covered, food, water, shelter and warmth, there is more life enhancing elements available at our disposal – yet fear is increasingly evident.

This is merely a perspective of my own based upon what I perceive and may or may not be more severe than I describe. I am my eye! I do not have all the answers nor do I know what is truly happening or causing the fear I see. I am a deep and compassionate man. I seek truth. I seek real. I desire less suffering. And I’d rather spend my time being a proponent of love, not fear.

Humanity is connected more closely than ever before. The energies of our body are no longer isolated to tribes, groups, villages or towns. We are global. This connection has many great benefits including the sharing of knowledge for the greater good of life in total.

We are beings that rely on each other not for just company, knowledge or protection but for all aspects of our lives. Love is the foundation to supporting this cooperative existence, fear is not.

In a book called Outliers, by Maclom Gladwell, he begins by highlighting a study of a group of people that seemed to live longer than most other groups in the US. The research found that it was the connections and togetherness of that group that was key difference.

An effective tribe is so effective because of their unity. A member that is in fear is an indication that something is not working. It may be sensed through observation of their associated actions and behaviours. Those not normal to what has been commonly observed in history is one technique to identify such abnormalities in behaviours.

This does not mean that the uncommon or unusual cannot become common and usual. For much of the evolution of life is witness to this. At first what may seem strange can actually become highly popular. When conditions when favourable to an individual or society as a whole things can be adopted and adapted.

Those states that are not conducive to the wellness of one’s life or society as a whole will be avoided and should not avail. If left alone or ignored they might fester, populate and avail. This may spread suffering from an isolated individual to the larger group.

We are now a global tribe/group. We not only get to see our loved ones and how they live their lives we also get to see many others who we have never meet or even heard of. Our friends list help gives our egos a rub or pride!

Social media allows me to be with my family as they swim and barbeque from the other side of the world. I get live updates of a mate’s journey into the mall. I know when it’s someone’s birthday without having to remember and get to see all the birthday wishes that get sent to them from others I’ve never met.

I am able to observe all the joy and suffering people attach themselves to and expose as it relates to their current lives. I get to share my own.

Human connection makes us feel a sense of belonging however is this global connectivity purposeful for this or is it actually making us feel more insignificant, lonely and isolated than ever before. Is the size of our tribe too big?

Connection matters but what is digital connection? What is it that we are all a part of?

I wrote this poem as I reflected and thought on what digital connection may be doing to us all.

A man may be depressed if he is alone. A man that is alone with reason may be happy. The why is the important element here.

A man who questions his significance in life questions depression. A man who is overly bound by his ego has no true direction.

A man who relies on his image based on that of society will be lost and seek confidence blindly, externally.

A man who compares himself with the next will lose sight of wisdom found within. He will disconnect with his truth, his sound, his essence, his soul.

 A man who is suffering will likely suffer more through suffering. Only a cleanse will heal any suffering so suffering will not happen anymore.

 A man that is sad may only imagine his sadness for no reason other than his own grievance.

If you are depressed, you may contest that it is only you and not the rest but rest assured it is not. We all suffer in our own right from our attempt and ability to live this life.

Defining ourselves by everything external and not within is a sure way to increase our confusion as to who we are. And who are we really? It creates and ego that relies on external feedback to further assure itself of its existence and worthiness.

We compare to what others are doing and when it appears better than what we are doing or have done we are struck with a sense of lacking or insignificance.

We can see what others have and their smiles on their face even when we are sad or suffering. This might make us feel as though they have something that we have not.

Comparison is only based on perception yet it is our perspectives that truly count. And what we can perceive is so limited online to words, images and video snapshots that leaves our much of what actually is.

Societies that operate well work together. They support each other with real compassion and empathy that can be experience directly not just shared by an emoticon or the amount of likes a post has got.

It tends to create a disillusion of what is real and what is not. If in life we are lost and not on the journey that is truly our own we create levels of suffering. The best way to pacify these are in search externally for quick fixes.

By having a whinge online or sharing what you consider a win may lead to a quick boost when someone comments or sends a heart but what does it all really matter and how real is it.

Perhaps I am the one disillusioned by the greatness of online communities. I believe there is great value and benefits to be had but I think for many of us we use it purely in hope of gaining support for a soul that lacks purpose and to be somehow defined.

It is only when we create greater self-awareness, know more truly what it is we seek in life as what is important that we can then truly do our work. And when we do that work we can connect online in efforts to share and give value without the need for some external approval or justification for the lives we live.

It is not social media or our global connection that is at fault. It is the lack of purpose we have in our lives and the thought that we can find it externally. It is a desire to be defined by our new global tribe, people we don’t know and in comparison rather than support we suffer.

People are fearful because we don’t know what’s to come next or they believe what will come next will bring more pain or suffering. Times are changing yet times always have.

In smaller groups we had greater ability to connect belly to belly and support each other in finding purpose in life. For now, we rely too heavily on external feedback to search of greater purpose and this is adding to our confusion.

Just when we feel we are on track we see something else or receive other external messages that makes us question our reality and feel once again lost and confused, and so the loop continues.

Switch off for a while and connect locally when and where you can. Join a group, open up with family and friends. Connect within and see what is calling you and follow that lead. Seek support when you need it, not justification of the work you are doing or the direction you are heading. Discover your own journey as it matters to you and give value back as you grow.