Being the Outcast
"Coming to know one another based on a shared humanity through dialogue is the key to breaking down the walls of isolation and reversing the decline of life-to-life bonds among human beings." - Vinessa Shaw
Being an outcast, being rejected, and feeling alone in the world creates ripple effects that extend far beyond the immediate external consequences of these things. The experience of being excluded from or not part of a group leads us to believe that there is something about us that is not acceptable, that is not right, that is shameful. As we carry this shame, is festers within us, rotting our spirits and extinguishing our sense of security and esteem in the world.
With time, we come to believe that we are alone and isolated and we become disconnected with our Selves and with our universal humanity. In other words, we come to believe that we do not share something with all of mankind and with all of life. We come to believe that we are divided and separate. We come to believe that we are alone in our struggle and alone in our pain.
We all belong, no matter what people say or think. We are all connected by our humanity by a universality that is much greater than any one of us and that encompasses each and every one of us. As Romeo famously said, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose/ by any other name would smell as sweet." No matter what group we are excluded from and no matter how isolated we may feel, we are never truly alone or separate. We are not islands unto ourselves.
Isolation does not keep us protected and safe. Leaning in does.
Mantra: I am connected to humanity. I see in myself what I witness in others.
PS
"Coming to know one another based on a shared humanity through dialogue is the key to breaking down the walls of isolation and reversing the decline of life-to-life bonds among human beings." - Vinessa Shaw
Being an outcast, being rejected, and feeling alone in the world creates ripple effects that extend far beyond the immediate external consequences of these things. The experience of being excluded from or not part of a group leads us to believe that there is something about us that is not acceptable, that is not right, that is shameful. As we carry this shame, is festers within us, rotting our spirits and extinguishing our sense of security and esteem in the world.
With time, we come to believe that we are alone and isolated and we become disconnected with our Selves and with our universal humanity. In other words, we come to believe that we do not share something with all of mankind and with all of life. We come to believe that we are divided and separate. We come to believe that we are alone in our struggle and alone in our pain.
We all belong, no matter what people say or think. We are all connected by our humanity by a universality that is much greater than any one of us and that encompasses each and every one of us. As Romeo famously said, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose/ by any other name would smell as sweet." No matter what group we are excluded from and no matter how isolated we may feel, we are never truly alone or separate. We are not islands unto ourselves.
Isolation does not keep us protected and safe. Leaning in does.
- This is an exercise to help tease apart your experience of solitude from your experience of isolation.
- Reflect upon times in your life when you have felt lonely and disconnected from the world around you. Take it a step further and reflect upon a time when you have felt this way, even in the presence of people.
- Now, reflect upon your experience of being alone yet in touch with your humanity, where you have felt in company with yourself. Think about times when you've found engagement with your Self in the absence of human company.
- What was missing during your periods of loneliness? What was there too much of?
Mantra: I am connected to humanity. I see in myself what I witness in others.
PS
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