The foundation to find meaning in life is interest. Not only interest according to our own fulfillment, but a real interest in the world around us. This is especially true when it comes to other people. How often do we go through life focused on our agendas, responsibilities, and desires, and barely notice those around us? How often do we notice others through the lenses of apathy, or our own sympathies and antipathies?
We all have social and anti-social tendencies within us. In fact, we must foster our self-centeredness, to the degree we have healthy self-definition and boundaries. We must balance this out with being social. Once we purposely direct our attention to those around us, we can then find what is interesting about them. This provides a basis for honesty and intimacy, which promotes healthy communication and relationships.
An interest in each other, and a true interest and commitment to being open engenders healthy community. Even when all are committed, community is a fragile thing. Community is not something that is ensured once attained. It is a living entity in which the members are breathing in and out. Whether many, or just one is not contributing to the health of the community, or receiving recognition from the community, then the wholeness of the community is weakened. This can be a temporary lull, even a crisis, or it can lead to its death, if not given attention and interest.
When relationships go through these lulls and crises something dies, yet something is renewed, but only if there is commitment to finding interest in the other, and to the health of the community.
The healthy social life is found
When, in the mirror of each human soul
The whole community finds its reflection,
And when, in the community
The virtue of each one is living.
R. Steiner
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