The Virtual Circle; In or Out?

Written in 2006... :)

In this complex world, with a population of nearly seven billions, you will surely meet people with different qualities, mentalities, values and cultures. However, at any road there is always an intersection point where common things meet. For some, this point is viewed as their home and where they find comfort, while others perceive it as a temporary bond with other people.

Differences among people create different Virtual Circles!

Diversity is a wide, yet, a deep concept which is encountered in our daily lives. Naturally, you will find people not like you who are with different backgrounds, religions, ethnicities, histories, skills, and perspectives. Although people are different, usually what brings people together is the shared concern about a specific case, a special interest in a field, or a belief. This is where virtual circles are formed in societies; some might be repelled while others are welcomed on a red carpet. This goes back to one’s personality, capacity of adaptation and sense of belonging. For instance, a community of anti-racism will repel a member who doesn’t believe that black and white people should be given equal opportunities. Such a person will not belong there, or excel and be useful to this community. Thus, he is OUT OF THE CIRCLE!

The need to belong somewhere!

By human instinct, a person always has the urge to be part of a circle, where one’s sense of belonging is well established and defined; a crucial aspect in one’s stability and sense of security. Some people reach this feeling through comprising; on the other hand, some people are smart enough to manage through using effective communication skills and social intelligence with the opposite parties. This is where tolerance takes place. At times we need to be tactful and open to maintain our relationships and get to common grounds. It is no doubt how people can survive in life’s jungles if such a quality was not realised. People need to give and take to reach an agreed spot.

Out of your comfort zone

“Everything you want is just out of your comfort zone” – Robert Allen
At times in order to be accepted in different circles, a person needs to get out of his comfort zone. Hence, a student who is conducting his studies abroad will come across other students with different cultures and values than his. Thus, for him, in order to outlast, he will tend to get out of his comfort zone and socialize with the different people to be recognized. In this case, getting out of your zone will make you uncomfortable and less secure, however, a person cannot live solely; people need to interact and get involved with each other even though they have different values. The issue here is not giving up your principles in order to be accepted by other parties, but it is the fact of manipulating your skills to serve the goal you are trying to reach, which is indulging in new circles.

One’s identity

Unfortunately, when some people don’t belong to any party or community, they lose part of their confidence. They are most likely to think of themselves as perceiving things wrongly or as weirdoes. For example, certain religious groups are not being represented in some European parliaments. Thus, this builds a sense of underestimation and low perception of one’s stability in the society they are living in. However, this doesn’t wipe their identity, as one purpose of belonging to a specific society is maintaining a coherent identity of the group.

Productivity and Usefulness

In each country there are different types of societies, for instance, societies are found for the less fortunate parties supporting and funding them, anti smoking campaigns educating people about smoking dangers and offering ways to quitting, rehabilitation centers for drug addicts, alcoholics and family violence and still more to be considered. All these are established to serve the goals which are settled for, however, the initiators and the members who are responsible for such campaigns and centers are being productive and useful, which in turn will give them a sense of satisfaction. Thus, when a person fit in a specific circle of his interest, it will aid in increasing one’s contentment, consequently will motivate him to excel more and increase his productivity.

Intuitively, a human being always seeks ways to prove oneself and be of value. We are not found in this universe for no reason. Everyone is born to be useful in a way. It is not necessarily to be productive in your society the same way your best mate, father, or professor is. But, each one has his own way of expressing and serving his skills, talents and thoughts, where if all combined and wisely utilized will take you to the top of the pyramid. Everyone has a shining fruit within, however, few are those who explore it and intelligently use it to add value to one’s society.