We, as human beings, are the sum of a variety of internal and external factors, and a great universal truth is that the sum is different for each person. This means, try as we might, we can never truly see the world through someone else’s eyes. We can come close—you might say that all writing is an attempt—but we are limited by our selves in the same way we are expanded by them. No one else will be truly like us. But we will never truly be like someone else. We are us.
This is not a terrible thing! In fact, it is wonderful. With constant change, there is constant possibilities. And to keep us from being isolated in are uniqueness, we are given several tools to allow us to bond with other humans. We can sympathize, love, and, perhaps the most important, communicate.
Because we all see things so differently, we can’t always predict how someone will react. Some might love a gift of flowers. Others might call it a waste of money. Still others will take offense at receiving a gift that is going to wither and die in front of them. But if you do not communicate your preference, you will continue to receive your weekly bouquet. It might be easy to expect someone to “just know” what you like. Easy and wrong.
Writing, indeed all communication, is a gift we must utilize. Engage in dialogue, discuss, question and debate, either in person or online. Remember it must be two sided, no talking over or dismissing, otherwise it is not true communication. It is merely yelling.
Without communication, we will be trapped within ourselves—within our selves—forever alone.
