Comments on: July 4th and the Cult of Belonging

By: lisa blake

lisa blake — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:08:36 +0000

Lovely images for the fourth of July, the dogs and smells.The freedom to cross the country and play music loud gets old very fast.Because we value our individuality so strongly unlike say the Japanese, we are a splintered society. After all, who really gets along always with family members. Ditto husbands. We need more people on the same page: UNITED. The question I pose is: what group and what is their or its purpose. p.s. that moi person sounded very much like someone I know pretty well who lives next door…………………..

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 01:42:52 +0000

Hi Suzanne,

This is a great project.

By: Moi

Moi — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 21:18:26 +0000

Wow, beautiful writing!And all so true. These are issues just below the surface in many, and by bringing them out in the open, you help people to confront them and know that we are not alone in this struggle. More in e-mail form. Moi

By: Darrelyn Saloom

Darrelyn Saloom — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 20:29:47 +0000

I agree with Diana. This is a powerful and beautiful piece. And it’s given me much to think about because conformity has always been such a struggle for me. My instincts as a young woman were always to flee. And I did, often and with ease. I ran away from home, school, numerous relationships, and numerous marriages. And then I married an oak tree.

My husband of 26 years is grounded and rooted and solid. He has been good for me. He’s taught me to sit still which has been great for my writing. But I’ve never been able to join a church, a political party, or even a book club. I suppose that’s my daddy in me. He traveled his whole life. He never owned a home, and he never settled down. He thrived on adventure. He was the most fun human being I’ve ever known. And I miss him. Often times, I miss my freedom. But what can I do? I’m still madly in love with an oak tree.

By: Diana Whitney

Diana Whitney — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 19:32:09 +0000

This is a powerful, beautiful post. I’m fascinated with this idea of the herd instinct– how as we grow up we are taught to be followers, and when we’re adults we want to belong to something– our spouse, kids, family, work, something we can claim to be part of. Is this a positive form of E.M. Forster’s philosophy, “Only Connect?” Or is it spirit-deadening social constraint, a squashing of independence and inner freedom?

Probably a little of both. What I notice as I get older is that it all keeps changing. What I belonged to in college (The cross-country ski team, the Creative Writing program) is completely different from what I belong to now (my children, Yoga). And in other 15 years it will change again…

Thank you for writing and raising these questions, matters of the heart and soul.