Well that is interesting! Others will care for us ONLY if we care for them? I don’t know why entirely, but the way you phrased that reminded me of my sister’s hidden trauma. She was convinced that our parents would only love her if she was really smart and got the best grades - which she was/is and did! However, it was also kind of a tragic mind set. That might not be you, Mike, but I think we are all worthy of being cared about by others.
There is more to say about all of this which is being brought up - and much of it involves - for me - the work that G.I. Gurdjieff was involved in - as he saw it, most human beings are nearly entirely unconscious. He would sit, I hear, in silence for a long time and then yell loudly at his audience: “Wake up!” - I got that from an Alan Watts talk in which he mentions that particular trait. I’m working on A) waking up and B) staying awake. Thanks so much for the comment, Mike!
First, and foremost, Mike, your words cut deeply into my soul, triggering a visceral feeling of heartache.
I agree with Hal. That second "because" triggered a defeated sense of insufficiency. But I see you.
The mere fact that you took the time to read Hal's post and to comment on it says so much about you.
That said, I want you to know... you are enough. You deserve care and attention.
The first "because" launched me into waves of loneliness. Yes, we all feel it — whether we identify it or not — the weight of feeling all alone on this journey through life.
That said, I want you to know... we're here. You're not alone.
The third "because" raised hope in me like protective wings — shielding and nurturing.
That said, I want you to know... I feel the search for connection and appreciate the desire to give to people in need and relate fully.
The fourth "because" prompted a sense of conviction, yet wrapped in a murky veil of resignation — almost futility... But that murky veil also shifted to arouse another sense of conviction and purpose that refuses to shirk from the weight of responsibility.
That said, I hold space for the belief that caring is all that truly matters. It's based in love — and love is the root... the foundation of everything.
Thank you for sharing yourself with us, Mike. We see you. We hear you. And we care.
But not always in loud or visible ways. Sometimes it’s quiet, internal, slow to reveal itself.
I care about the things I can’t always fix.
About the people I pass, the ones I’ll never speak to, but still feel connected to somehow.
About the overwhelming pace of everything, and how it chips away at our ability to remain human and soft.
I get what you said about being reticent. Vulnerability on here feels like walking around with your chest unzipped.
And yes — sometimes people are playing games. But sometimes they’re not. Sometimes they mean exactly what they say. And maybe that’s rare, but it still matters when it happens.
So yes — I care.
About people who wonder.
About people who ask instead of assuming.
About those who walk through the world with their eyes open, even when it’s too much.
And maybe I’m writing this partly to remind myself, too. That caring quietly doesn’t mean it’s not real.
I’ll respond to this in a way that is probably more vulnerable than what I’d usually post! I have to admit that I was probably less focused when I was more of an ‘active’ member of society. However, a few years ago when I was working in the medical profession, I fell very ill and was isolated from other humans completely for 2-3 years, unable to speak. So I think that’s why I care about connection now. I would really like to just genuinely know people. I see snippets of the environment you post and it opens up a different world because it’s so different from where I live! My experience was really a wake up call as to what I had been overlooking! I guess during that time I realised that connection is vital to happiness.
Exactly my point in putting the passing show out there into cyberspace. Living in DC, I see my fellow humans doing all kinds of dances and ceremonies to assure themselves that they are “Ok” - yesterday, I was rubbing shoulders with many DC and AI industry big wigs. I was a passing shadow to most of them. Yet, it is possible to share our humanity. More later…
These musings of yours appeal to me, so obviously I care. I don’t take people for granted and I am always grateful for all the helping hands that are around me. We are indeed interdependent, because we are interconnected. That one-ness is never far from my mind. The more the pace of “the Show” increases, the more I connect with the Core within me. From that Core I share what I have within me to share. I do so in joy. That is what make me tick. Curiosity is also on the (long) list of things that make me tick. Another is empowering – finding ideas and thoughts that are freeing, instead of limiting and then write about them. As far as I can see you ARE connecting with us all through this medium. I am glad you do! Each one of us is unique, with a unique perspective to share. That’s the beauty of the Show.
I care.
Because it reassures me that someone is out there, I care.
Because I am of the belief that others will only care for me if I care for them, I care.
Because it only takes one to connect with another, I care.
Because what else is there, really, I care.
Well that is interesting! Others will care for us ONLY if we care for them? I don’t know why entirely, but the way you phrased that reminded me of my sister’s hidden trauma. She was convinced that our parents would only love her if she was really smart and got the best grades - which she was/is and did! However, it was also kind of a tragic mind set. That might not be you, Mike, but I think we are all worthy of being cared about by others.
There is more to say about all of this which is being brought up - and much of it involves - for me - the work that G.I. Gurdjieff was involved in - as he saw it, most human beings are nearly entirely unconscious. He would sit, I hear, in silence for a long time and then yell loudly at his audience: “Wake up!” - I got that from an Alan Watts talk in which he mentions that particular trait. I’m working on A) waking up and B) staying awake. Thanks so much for the comment, Mike!
So much to unpack here...
First, and foremost, Mike, your words cut deeply into my soul, triggering a visceral feeling of heartache.
I agree with Hal. That second "because" triggered a defeated sense of insufficiency. But I see you.
The mere fact that you took the time to read Hal's post and to comment on it says so much about you.
That said, I want you to know... you are enough. You deserve care and attention.
The first "because" launched me into waves of loneliness. Yes, we all feel it — whether we identify it or not — the weight of feeling all alone on this journey through life.
That said, I want you to know... we're here. You're not alone.
The third "because" raised hope in me like protective wings — shielding and nurturing.
That said, I want you to know... I feel the search for connection and appreciate the desire to give to people in need and relate fully.
The fourth "because" prompted a sense of conviction, yet wrapped in a murky veil of resignation — almost futility... But that murky veil also shifted to arouse another sense of conviction and purpose that refuses to shirk from the weight of responsibility.
That said, I hold space for the belief that caring is all that truly matters. It's based in love — and love is the root... the foundation of everything.
Thank you for sharing yourself with us, Mike. We see you. We hear you. And we care.
Yes — I do care.
But not always in loud or visible ways. Sometimes it’s quiet, internal, slow to reveal itself.
I care about the things I can’t always fix.
About the people I pass, the ones I’ll never speak to, but still feel connected to somehow.
About the overwhelming pace of everything, and how it chips away at our ability to remain human and soft.
I get what you said about being reticent. Vulnerability on here feels like walking around with your chest unzipped.
And yes — sometimes people are playing games. But sometimes they’re not. Sometimes they mean exactly what they say. And maybe that’s rare, but it still matters when it happens.
So yes — I care.
About people who wonder.
About people who ask instead of assuming.
About those who walk through the world with their eyes open, even when it’s too much.
And maybe I’m writing this partly to remind myself, too. That caring quietly doesn’t mean it’s not real.
So thank you — for writing it out loud.
Onward.
Beautiful. Now what I hope is that we can all inspire each other as Substack lifts off to remain “authentic” insofar as any of us can be!
This shows in your photography, Dora.
Quietly, yes, but profoundly — in the way that says, "I see you — and I won't look away," and helps others see, too.
I appreciate your vulnerability and authenticity in this space.
Another insightful question, Hal — and it inspired a long answer. You can find it here: https://heathermurata.substack.com/p/i-chose-to-care ❤️
I think some people are just more caring than others. The real question is, "what makes you care?"
I’ll respond to this in a way that is probably more vulnerable than what I’d usually post! I have to admit that I was probably less focused when I was more of an ‘active’ member of society. However, a few years ago when I was working in the medical profession, I fell very ill and was isolated from other humans completely for 2-3 years, unable to speak. So I think that’s why I care about connection now. I would really like to just genuinely know people. I see snippets of the environment you post and it opens up a different world because it’s so different from where I live! My experience was really a wake up call as to what I had been overlooking! I guess during that time I realised that connection is vital to happiness.
Exactly my point in putting the passing show out there into cyberspace. Living in DC, I see my fellow humans doing all kinds of dances and ceremonies to assure themselves that they are “Ok” - yesterday, I was rubbing shoulders with many DC and AI industry big wigs. I was a passing shadow to most of them. Yet, it is possible to share our humanity. More later…
These musings of yours appeal to me, so obviously I care. I don’t take people for granted and I am always grateful for all the helping hands that are around me. We are indeed interdependent, because we are interconnected. That one-ness is never far from my mind. The more the pace of “the Show” increases, the more I connect with the Core within me. From that Core I share what I have within me to share. I do so in joy. That is what make me tick. Curiosity is also on the (long) list of things that make me tick. Another is empowering – finding ideas and thoughts that are freeing, instead of limiting and then write about them. As far as I can see you ARE connecting with us all through this medium. I am glad you do! Each one of us is unique, with a unique perspective to share. That’s the beauty of the Show.