When I woke this morning I realised that my account now has over 3000 followers, something that I find quite strange. It made me think about my social journey a little and where it started, where it travelled and, where it will lead.

The foray into society was pretty rough and it was in kindergarten that I discovered the cruelty of humanity, and it was there I first considered how much control society has over dictating the 'right and wrong' of our perceptions. At 4, I found out that I was wrong because my skin colour was not the same as all the others. 

This set the tone for the majority of my primary school life where I spent most of the time alone reading or, with my back against the wall watching childhood pass-by from the sidelines. I thought it much easier to do this than face the continual pressures of being different from the group.

https://i.imgur.com/gtxiHtf.jpg

It was in high school I realised how fickle society's perceptions are and how quickly they can change as with a slight diversity of ethnicity introduced and an increase in information, my position shifted. I became *popular*. Well, amongst the girls. Good times to be sure but, it also made me think of how quickly minds and emotions can be redirected and although the winds benefited me in the moment, what about the next to come?

And whilst at University, some planes hit some buildings and another shift took place, one that still continues today to a large degree. Even though my group of friends had accepted me, I was still met with suspicion from strangers and at times, hostility. Oh, I am not religious in anyway and would consider myself agnostic on the existence of a creator of any sort, name or form. That reality doesn't alter perceptions of some people's reality though, I am still brown.

These experiences have made me cautious in trusting society's opinions and directions as a few events, a little more or too little information and the path changes again. It has meant that for a lot of the time, I actually spent detached from society with the view that there is little benefit for me to be part of a community who is nothing more than driven by emotional winds. 

The last 15 years in Finland though I have been buying-in to the community as I came to the conclusion that if it can shift, negatively, it can also shift positively. If it can oppress, it can also empower. And, if I am unwilling, how can I expect anyone else to be? Responsibility of my position in the community finally kicked in and, I began to move.

I have carried this through to Steemit and my interactions here where I attempt to move myself by assisting others to move and even though the progress is much slower than moving alone, the shift has the potential to empower more and include more in active progression. There is a long way to go. In fact, there is an unknown and likely endless way to go in the improvement of community, society, culture and humanity but, it starts with myself. 

I am very grateful for the opportunities I have here and the support I enjoy and I *feel* that what I offer does have an effect or, is starting to have an effect anyway. My plan forward is to keep exploring, keep playing, keep supporting the ways I can and perhaps create a better environment, a fuller playground for those to come. It is a step on the path for now but, not enough for the future.

A few months ago I was thinking of running some kind of competition or delegation giveaway for the 3000 mark but I did that the other day and have no Steem Power to give, so...

Thanks for being here. 

Taraz
[ a Steemit original ]