“The weak stand together, and the strong stand alone.” My 14 year-old self was consoled by these words spoken by my father. Because I was never one to fit in with the crowds, I was never the one to feel comfortable or confident in large social situations. There were lows when I didn’t know what I was doing wrong or why I didn’t come across as someone others wanted to stand with.

So, maybe my dad’s words did hold some truth; because it takes a toll whether you’re a loner or introverted or have more left days than right. I guess it can apply to any extreme or minor experience or personality for that matter. No matter the circumstances, I repeated this to myself on multiple occasions. But this shouldn’t even be a thing. Why does it have to be easier to follow the crowd, why is it hard for outsiders to get let in?

So does it become a question of decency? Normalcy? Abnormality?

I guess I have sat on the sidelines enough times to know what its like to feel not included. I’m not trying to make myself sound pathetic. My point is just that I know; that I understand; that society and life can be so cliquey. Whether it's high school, or work, or life; it always hurts to feel like you’re looking in. So what does this all tie into?

Can we just talk about human decency for a minute? That it shouldn’t be that hard to have a heart. Because why do the strong have to stand alone? Why can’t they stand hand in hand with everyone else for the betterment of the group. I guess it could even go both ways, that to stand together means you have to be weak. Why? I just can’t fathom or wrap my head around why this has to exist... let alone hold truth.

My freshman year of college, I was headed towards a radio broadcasting class. I walked up the stairs following a tall upperclassman. We exchanged the typical introduction; “whats your major?”, “what year are you?”, etc. I was just starting out and nervous as hell. But he understood that. He came here from outside of the country and was almost newer than me, even though he had a year under his belt. When he first came to college he was in my shoes, but in a different stance.

I remember him telling me that he hated being the new kid and not knowing anyone, so from that point on he decided that he would say hello and introduce himself to every new person he met. That really stuck with me. I mean how brave and inspiring could something that appears to be so simple, yet so daunting, be. I may not have directly followed in his footsteps, but I heard what he said loud and clear. Maybe if I was a little braver I would’ve tried his approach, and been successful none the less.

But instead I’ll just recall that story, and from time to time, feel adventurous and ballsy enough to try it for a minute. I’ll sit here typing out my thoughts and wishes of how I want the world to be, the possibilities of what it could be. As I focus on mediocre details that have struck me as important and relevant, I’m really just trying to touch a chord or find some sort of common ground. These ideas can’t be so irrelevant and far fetched that no one else has thought or entertained these feelings before right? At least that's what I’m hoping for anyway...