Echo

 “I would hurl words into this darkness and wait for an echo, and if an echo sounded, no matter how faintly, I would send other words to tell, to march, to fight, to create a sense of the hunger for life that gnaws in us all.” ~ Richard Wright

The year 2020 will go down in history as one that threw a lot of people into the loneliest season of their lives. Forced to ‘social distance’ or quarantine, locked down unable to go about what was hitherto the normal routine of our days, and worst of all deprived from the touch of fellow humans and hidden behind a mask. It was no wonder then that mental health deteriorated and a devastating rise in cases of suicide, violence, anxiety and depression was and still is being witnessed.

For those with online access, there was another way. People began to find online spaces and therein to form tribes with like-minded or like-interested people from around the globe. Boundaries were broken down and passports were no longer necessary. I learnt how to bake bread from a French baker who does not even speak English, and crochet my first long sleeved sweater from an Indian grandma. I have an American rabbi and a Spanish pastor, a Canadian professor and an Italian saxophonist. I am a citizen of the world and a multi-tribal-human.

However, in most of these communities, I am only a taker and not a giver beyond the likes and views I give to those I admire and listen to. But, there are tribes where I am an active participant. And it is these tribes that gave meaning to my life and kept my sanity to an extent, in that season where there were no hugs to give or receive and no smiles to see.

These tribes consist of strangers who are drawn together by a common interest. From different backgrounds, upbringing, ages, seasons, stages of life and temperaments. Which makes interactions here very interesting. Aha moments and learning opportunities are many in such settings as you come to the realization that geographical, age or language difference do not shield us from human pain in all its forms. You also get to realize that what you thought was a handicap is actually being celebrated in a different part of the world, something you consider useless is priceless elsewhere. When your worldview expands, so does your understanding. You learn to slow down, live life as it comes to you and let go of anger faster. Gratitude for what you have and where you are also increases because someone somewhere is always having it rougher than you no matter your rock-bottom situation.

You also realize that in order to benefit from such a tribe, you have to be vulnerable within reason. These are not people who understand your circumstances or your environment so for effective communication to occur, you have to be open about your situation without compromising your safety. It is that vulnerability that allows others to share of their experiences to comfort, validate, educate and enlighten us as we get to understand our shared humanity.

Who is your tribe? Is it only the one your local politician has started yapping about in readiness for August 2022? (+254) Are you tribe-less and alone? Have you even identified what your interests are and found like-minded people out there? In this day and age, there is no need for anyone to shout out and only get their echo back. It is a global village and your resources and learning should reflect that. Get online and find your tribes – because they are numerous. But, also find even one actual, physical person who can give you a real hug – it matters.

“One secret of life is that the reason life works at all is that not everyone in your tribe is nuts on the same day. Another secret is that laughter is carbonated holiness.” ~ Anne Lamott