chapter I5

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IN ALL LIVING things, there is a desire to belong

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IN ALL LIVING things, there is a desire to belong. To be understood, to be accepted. It was a fundamental part of community based survival, and the results of the deprivation of it could be devastating. If we were all born with that deep, sensitive instinct —then why were we so selfish? Why did we never look at the whole; the bigger picture and those around us?

If it was just as ingrained to be greedy, what a shameless paradox we were. To want company, and only at our convenience. Choosing to be removed from the world was so frowned upon; but yet we still fought to be together. Over simple, stupid things.

Love was like that.

It wasn't gentle, or understanding. Love was like people; brash and needy. Dependent. Or maybe it was such among those who didn't understand it. Maybe love could be unconditional, warm and immeasurable.

But not in this life.

Wars were waged over boundaries —either to keep people out or to keep people in, or both —and leaders still spoke of one people. One world. Undivided.

Perhaps if we were as we had been before —simple beings with simple needs, we wouldn't find the reasons to fight. We wouldn't find the reason to run an non-officiated race. There would be no finish line. Nothing to get to, nothing to which we would aspire.

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