Individual (and but also) collective

Paradoxes and problems

The paradox (and problems) of individuality.

I am greatly fascinated with exploring the parallel and intersecting lines of self- and collective interest. At its best, individual agency can enhance the lives of more than just the individual. And, sometimes concepts like self-care and responsibility are misconstrued to promote material gain, excuse shitty behavior or avoid consequences. It’s easier to be flaky in the name of upholding boundaries. It’s unrealistic to trust that everyone is going to honestly ‘hold themselves accountable’ for the way their actions impact others.

If what’s good and right for me is not what’s good and right for you, how do we move forward together, or separately?

Topics worth investigating, for the sake of trying to have a symbiotic society.

We are not designed to all be the same. We each have differentiated life paths, preferences, and tastes, and should be free to decide what works best for us. We should be allowed to make our own choices for our bodies. We each deserve to pursue a life of meaning based on what is meaningful to us. Our fullest, most authentic selves are the medicine the planet dearly needs.

And, we are limited by the structures in place. We are limited by the fact that we live here together, as part of a community. Within these confines, there is still a lot of room for personal decisions and unique perspectives. And, there is a looot of potential (and need) for collective growth.

What I’m coming to in my own understanding is that exercising personal agency should allow us to be more honest and loving humans — a supportive part of the collective. Radically living from our uniqueness can paradoxically serve to unify. Reclaiming our agency so that we can make empowered decisions should ultimately contribute love to the world around us.

Everyone should be able to choose what feels right for them. It’s great to decondition, process emotional pain, and figure out who we really are and what we really want. In an ideal world, every person would know how to feel their feelings, seek help when needed, and make embodied decisions based on their own internal guidance system. In an ideal world, we could trust that the choices of each individual would benefit the collective.

And, the world isn’t ideal. Not everyone acts with integrity, or even common sense. If one’s personal belief system includes enacting violence toward those deemed ‘other’, there cannot be space for acting in their own “self-interest”. What do we do when some people’s ‘choices’ are not good or right for anyone?

Can we use our agency and individual empowerment for the good of all beings, everywhere?

I guess we can only do what we can. We can act in accordance to our values and inner guidance. Maybe we can invoke the Serenity Prayer, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

We can take care of ourselves and the people around us. We can practice loving ourselves, our home, and our environment, because the health of the collective depends on the health of the individuals within it. 

May we bravely act in service of a more whole and connected world.

xx, maggie

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