Social Relations

We’re social creatures and seek acceptance. But the constant duality that we face, that is, how we see ourselves and how others see us, leads us to a state of confusion when we cannot identify with others.

Did you know that opposing views cause the primitive part of the brain to interfere with rational thought? This means that even if we would normally agree with someone, this chemical reaction in the brain causes narrow-mindedness. Interesting, huh?

Perhaps we should be more aware of the social, political, economic, and environmental factors that shape behavior before judging someone’s character. We are who we are now because of our upbringing, the opportunities we’ve been provided with, and/or lack thereof. This clash in norms leads to awkward moments that challenge our perception of self. This stirs fear as our identity is threatened by the new perspective, thus triggering a defensive state.

Why must we be in such a hostile state? There is no right or wrong, just everything in between. We all deviate from the norm in some way or another.

Appreciating the differences will perhaps allow us to move toward a better society, as the appreciation of our efforts increases the chemicals in the brain to release dopamine. This increases our self-esteem and makes us feel empowered, allowing us to easily become self-aware, and enriched with experience.

Our actions are often a result of the validation we get from society. This being said, maybe we should all make an effort to connect to others, rather than alienate them due to fear of losing ourselves in them or finding a part of ourselves we never knew we had.

Love,
Bee