Upon recent reflection I've realised that one of the things that is most important in my life is belonging to something.
The times I've been happiest, felt most alive, most confident and when life just seems to whirl by with joy and energy are all associated with belonging to something. Whether that's AFS as an exchange student, a cohort of engineering students (and the engineering revue), the SCA, more specifically a college or a household, or to a group of people referred to as "RKoL DJs".
To be able to say "I'm part of [organisation]" either privately, or publicly gives me security and confidence.
When I don't belong to something I go looking for something to belong to, trying to fill that gap (building lego houses anyone?). When I can't find something that fits I end up in a strange fuzzy-headed space filled with long days on the couch doing not much.
As I've re-integrated back into life in Australia the SCA has been a strong reminder of this dichotomy for me. Attending my first full festival since 2007 I was reminded of why I used to be so integrated into the Society and volunteered my time and effort to it. I was reminded of what it meant to give service to others simply because you wanted to, and what it felt like to have a place and to belong.
So, as of last night I am Rowany's A&S officer, and I've spent today thinking about Bunch o' Classes (September 8-9, stick it in your diaries!), how to revive dance in the Barony (a 12 week beginner's class will be coming your way soon), and composing a survey to see what is currently happening across the Barony and what people would like to see happening.
I also spent today humming part of the Cutt Bransles, which led me onto the Newcastle, and hence I present you with this clip of a man and an accordion and a familiar refrain (I love the gusto)
The times I've been happiest, felt most alive, most confident and when life just seems to whirl by with joy and energy are all associated with belonging to something. Whether that's AFS as an exchange student, a cohort of engineering students (and the engineering revue), the SCA, more specifically a college or a household, or to a group of people referred to as "RKoL DJs".
To be able to say "I'm part of [organisation]" either privately, or publicly gives me security and confidence.
When I don't belong to something I go looking for something to belong to, trying to fill that gap (building lego houses anyone?). When I can't find something that fits I end up in a strange fuzzy-headed space filled with long days on the couch doing not much.
As I've re-integrated back into life in Australia the SCA has been a strong reminder of this dichotomy for me. Attending my first full festival since 2007 I was reminded of why I used to be so integrated into the Society and volunteered my time and effort to it. I was reminded of what it meant to give service to others simply because you wanted to, and what it felt like to have a place and to belong.
So, as of last night I am Rowany's A&S officer, and I've spent today thinking about Bunch o' Classes (September 8-9, stick it in your diaries!), how to revive dance in the Barony (a 12 week beginner's class will be coming your way soon), and composing a survey to see what is currently happening across the Barony and what people would like to see happening.
I also spent today humming part of the Cutt Bransles, which led me onto the Newcastle, and hence I present you with this clip of a man and an accordion and a familiar refrain (I love the gusto)
4 comments:
Building Lego houses? Pick me!!!
And organising things is a very good thing. There is plenty of enthusiasm out there if someone is willing to direct it. Good on you.
You're top of the list for Lego house building! I've realised one of the barriers is a place to display them when they're finished - our flat is tiny.
However, a trip to IKEA may have that fixed in the near future!
re: A&S organising, it's kind of the reason I volunteered - we all do stuff and love to share what we do, but it seems that the venue/habits of doing this have dissipated in recent years, as they tend to do in cycles in any community-type organisation. However there also seems to be increasing noise of "we want to be involved again"
As I seem to be an 'organising stuff in a way that includes and encourages people savant' at least, when I'm in the mood and have given myself permission to be this person it seems like a good time to be A&S Officer. :)
They're building a church on the hill behind our house out of LEGO. Waste of a bloody good paddock (to quote the farmer they bought the land for Canberra from), but kind of cool construction technique - they're sort of hollow styrofoam mega-LEGO, and I think they pour the hollow bits full of concrete after they stick them together.
- ob.
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