Social Lens No.6: Life is Relationship

in #life5 years ago (edited)

This is the continuation of the Social Lens series. I hope you enjoy it 😎

Why 'Social Lens'?

It is called Social, because I am interested in everything related to humanity, how people live and act, what we do consciously and unconsciously, how we effect the world around us and treat one another.

Lens in this context refers to -- wait for it -- the lens of the camera I will be using to take the pictures of what I am seeing (that at least is pretty obvious...), but it also refers to my viewpoint - everything I watch and see is observed through my eyes. There isn't really a way around that of course, and as long as one is aware of that it shouldn't be much of a problem. After all, life is experienced individually and every point of view can add to the greater whole.


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Life is relationship.

A good friend, your spouse, someone else you feel close to and even people who you meet for the first time are like mirrors to yourself. Social connections are like mirrors. They reflect your behavior and with this you can see what you are, how you are and change who you are.

It doesn't necessarily mean that this has to be a harmonious connection. Even when we argue we can learn about ourselves. Perhaps we can even learn the most from conflict as this is generally always a disruptive force and can therefore challenge our ideas and beliefs. But the mind has to be open for this insight. It has to be open to learn.

Of course being alone has its virtues, but we often cannot reflect our actions quite as well as when we are with other people. Being in a relationship with someone (as in a social connection with any person) gives you a chance to examine your behavior, how you react and respond to certain ideas or situations and reflect your self. It is often much easier and more direct as when you try to do this on yourself (although meditation is of course always helpful). This is because you might delude yourself and think that you know yourself, but then, in a certain kind of social situation you might realize that you (re)act very differently. This is the reason why being with other people is so important.

This mirror, of course, is also extended to the person you are interacting with. Their behaviors are also reflected to them and this can help to bring about a better flow to interactions and lead to personal growth on either end of the social connection.

When we isolate ourselves, we choke off that vital connection with society. But who would we be without society? I would argue that we would be no one. Think about the things you wear, the food you eat, the technology you use - the list is endless - all of this comes from society and is rarely the outcome of your own actions. This is even true for your thoughts.

Although it might at first not be apparent, your thoughts are also almost always the product of someone else's thinking. This is most apparent for ideologies and concepts and ideas that you learn from books or other people. But even your most inner thoughts are often the outcome of society. Think about when you feel depressed or sad and how society might has contributed to the way you are thinking about this. Or think about your ideas of happiness and self-fulfillment. Aren't they also often influenced or even a direct result from ideas that you picked up somewhere else?

We are therefore completely intertwined in our society's way of being, perceiving, and acting. But this does not mean that we have to accept all of those ideas. And in fact, this is why it is so important to think critically and reflect one's actions - something that is much easier when done through the mirror of social relationships.


Is it okay to take pictures of people?


Note: If the picture(s) in this post depicts yourself or someone you know and you want it removed, please let me know and I will remove it.

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