We went to the New Year’s Fireworks in Brisbane last night. I feel as if I need some resolutions or reflections now. Last night as the fireworks flew, the crowd around us cheered and I felt like an outsider. Their excited joy didn’t infect me. We watched the movie Divergent to keep from falling asleep yesterday evening. Neither of us had seen it but Jill read the books a couple years ago. Incidentally, we watched the sequel last March at a theatre in Peru. It was called Insurgente in Spanish; maybe you can guess the English title. Divergent made me remember what this journey we are on has taken from us. In the movie a future society maintains order by having people live in 5 factions or communities. As teenagers the citizens are tested and placed in the faction indicated. The main character’s test indicates that she fits into several factions; she is a divergent. The movie is about her trying to fit into the society.
1/1/2016
I didn’t feel like I fit in where I was in Minnesota. Jill and I chose to give up a house, jobs, our community. We jumped off the edge of our comprehension without knowing if their would be another community to catch us. Sometimes its hard to tell if anything caught us. Jill and I are living on the fringe of the capitalist orderly society. With many of the people we meet, it’s as if we are saying hello from the sidewalk. Most people have chosen to fit into society. We have become divergent from society. Jill writes about looking for a community in her recent blog post. We’ve spent 2015 finding and leaving communities. Our strongest connections are with fellow travelers but we inevitably travel in different directions. Our connections to the wonderful people we’ve met become fading memories if we let them.
In the movie, the main character finds her way to other divergent characters, and they create a community of their own. It isn’t happily ever after yet though, with two sequels in the Divergent series. Jill and I aren’t on a happily ever after track either. We’ve got more sequels left in us than Star Wars. 2015 taught me to roll with whatever is in my way. I saw more of the world than I can believe and there is so much more to see. We’ve ended the year in Australia for goodness sakes. I hope I will never forget the communities I’ve been a part of, and I hope my list of friends keeps growing in 2016.
What wonderful thoughtful writing, Martin! I think you’ve always been somewhat divergent because you don’t “follow the herd” (as my father used to advise me.). You are certainly unique, just as everyone is, and you’re finding your way in your own way! Same with Jill. You look at things more deeply and can express yourself in your writing. I/we admire you so much and wish you the best as you continue on your life’s journey in finding your “community”. Happy New Year and love from your Mom and Dad!
Hope we can talk to you again before too long.
(Can I suggest my Peace Corps idea again? : )
Martin, you and Jill are amazing and courageous people. Thank you for sharing your thoughts in this new year; you provide much for others to ponder. May 2016 be a wonderful year for you both, wherever the next road leads you.
Uncle Buzz
Thanks Buzz, I hope 2016 is great for you as well!