Our mothers' uterus is our first home. Then we come to this world. Quite a bigger home, isn't it? Ever since that day and through all the chances we get, and the decisions we make, we try to make this world a place we call ''home''. But what is your home? Is it the land or the country where you were born? A place you feel comfortable in? Your dream? Your life? The place where you've always been living? A place where you have very special memories & feelings?A place where you can walk freely and do whatever you want? A place where you earn your respect?
Perhaps, everyone reading this has come up with one of those answers or even a different answer; as when you come to think of it, it is quite tedious to have a definite answer about the meaning of such an abstract concept as 'home', which is far beyond an anthem or a flag. It's something that we live through and feel without wondering about its essence.
Having all that in mind we can reach a premise, that if we followed anyone's life and what they believe we can reach their point of view about 'home'. So in my journey to know what is 'home' I talked to many different people and heard their stories and I managed to cluster these people into 4 clusters, but before you go along and see what they are, try to imagine yourself deprived of tall the perks of your 'home' and you only get to keep one of them; so you can value each cluster's choice objectively.
The first group believed that their home is the place where they can fulfill their personal and professional goals. Consider the case when you dream of a certain lifestyle or you're having a dream job which you can't reach where you are. Some people can compromise such things. However, this group can't feel home unless the place boosts their self actualization and makes them feel worthy.
The second group chose freedom to be their home. They considered a place where they can do whatever they want without any fear of being judged or manipulated. They don't like being conservatively tied to a certain tradition or social norm and consider their home to be free of any pressure to follow a certain model.
The third group cherished their families and friends more than anything and consider 'home' to be the place where their lifelong friends and family live. They feel home around their neighborhood, they consider home as bonds or ties formed between them and all the people they know. They believe that by time these bonds get stronger and become clear during hardships when these bonds are seen in the form of care, empathy and aid.
The last group valued acceptance and belonging more than anything. Their home was the place where they felt belonged, where they found no difference between themselves and their communities. They considered 'home' to be a place that accepts every aspect of them and never feel left out.
After hearing from over 30 different people, from different backgrounds and nationalities, I came to realize that, for me, it's only the place where all these people,and more, can find what they want and fulfill everybody's aspirations& sought feelings and live together in harmony is the place I call 'home'.
