Just a few thoughts I found myself having whilst in the shower. It seems I do a considerable amount of my thinking there, so committing them to writing is probably worthwhile. Fair warning: this entry becomes rather rambling.

My thoughts began with one of my partners. In truth, I want to see all of them in person, but this particular partner remained at the forefront of my mind because their living situation is far from ideal. I often find myself wishing I could simply remove them from both their circumstances and the tangled mess that is their family life.

For quite some time I have carried the vague outline of a plan in the back of my mind, though it remains little more than an outline. I should probably take the time to develop it into something tangible. No one should have to live under the conditions they endure.

From there, my thoughts drifted to a conversation Anivara had with our friend Tony. I cannot reasonably recount the entire discussion here, as it covered a great many subjects, but one idea continued to return: the nature of our relationships and the realization that we have, intentionally or otherwise, built a community from the people we love.

Lumenoct added his own observations to the discussion unfolding in my head. He suggested that there are two primary reasons we gravitate toward building such communities. The first is simply our nature. He, Vorryn, and several others are instinctively drawn toward the concept of a pack. The second is perhaps more fundamental: we were searching for somewhere we truly belonged.

Reflecting on that, I think we have largely accomplished that goal.

The thought then reminded me of a conversation I once had with my friend Josh. Increasingly, I believe we are no longer trying merely to create a place where we belong. We are trying to create a place where others can belong as well, precisely because we understand what it feels like to lack such a place ourselves.

Perhaps that is why our community contains so many people who differ from what society tends to regard as ordinary. We recognize something of ourselves in them, and they, in turn, recognize something of themselves in us.

As I stepped from the shower, my thoughts began racing toward the day’s responsibilities. Emails needed writing. Tasks needed completing. My attention fractured into a dozen directions.

Then, almost quietly, my mind returned once more to that conversation with Tony.

One thought surfaced above the rest:

“Remember that you are alive. You are here, and you are now.”

I repeated the words aloud.

As I moved about, I deliberately narrated each action to myself. The effect surprised me. It grounded me more quickly than many techniques I have tried before. I cannot say whether it will prove consistently effective, but it was effective today.

Perhaps we should spend some time exploring Buddhist philosophy. The idea of simply being alive, of inhabiting the present moment rather than racing ahead into the next obligation, seems worthy of deeper consideration.