12 Comments
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Sam Alaimo's avatar

I love this concept. It strikes me that this is also the crux the writing fiction: delving into the souls of all those around us.

Michael Woudenberg's avatar

That’s a good point on fiction. You really do have to get out of your brain to write good characters.

Selma Schuller's avatar

Love this! How awe inspiring is the potential for connection with those outside our normal social circle? These small, random, often fleeting encounters remind us what it is to be human.

Kyle Shepard's avatar

Beautiful post. Sondering is like macro empathy in some ways. What a great way to use a flight - make a great article based on great thoughts from the experience

Michael Woudenberg's avatar

Macro Empathy is a great way to put it.

Jojo's avatar

But never forget:

“All life is full of suffering, pain, and sorrow.”

– Buddha

or to put it into a modern context:

This Ain't No Party... This Ain't No Disco... This Ain't No Foolin' Around"

-- Life During Wartime, Talking Heads (1979)

Michael Woudenberg's avatar

Lol. There is that!

Jojo's avatar

"Sondering: The profound realization that every random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own, filled with their own stories, struggles, and history, even though they seem like background characters in your life."

----

Which brings to mind this quote that was focused on NYC at the time but can be expanded.

“There are eight million stories in the naked city. This has been one of them.”

---The ending statement in the 1960's TV program, The Naked City

Michael Woudenberg's avatar

I like that one.

Katy Marriott's avatar

I always get dizzy when I start thinking like that! 🤣🤣

Michael Woudenberg's avatar

It’s crazy huh?