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Murmuration Salad | J.D. Willetts | TEDxWilmingtonUniversity


you ever feel like you’re all alone like

you ever feel like you’re all alone like like nobody gets you or worse even once

like nobody gets you or worse even once

like nobody gets you or worse even once to get you see I know what that feels

to get you see I know what that feels

to get you see I know what that feels like my freshman year of high school was

like my freshman year of high school was

like my freshman year of high school was a traumatic year for me I was kind of a

a traumatic year for me I was kind of a

a traumatic year for me I was kind of a late bloomer everybody else was taller

late bloomer everybody else was taller

late bloomer everybody else was taller better-looking you know and I just I

better-looking you know and I just I

better-looking you know and I just I didn’t feel like I had any place where I

didn’t feel like I had any place where I

didn’t feel like I had any place where I fit I didn’t feel like I belonged

fit I didn’t feel like I belonged

fit I didn’t feel like I belonged anywhere and I had a lot of tears that

anywhere and I had a lot of tears that

anywhere and I had a lot of tears that year became very familiar with

year became very familiar with

year became very familiar with loneliness by my tenth grade year I’d

loneliness by my tenth grade year I’d

loneliness by my tenth grade year I’d gotten my height I grew up I was just

gotten my height I grew up I was just

gotten my height I grew up I was just tall as everybody else they were still

tall as everybody else they were still

tall as everybody else they were still better-looking but you take what you get

better-looking but you take what you get

better-looking but you take what you get you know it’s like you got to work with

you know it’s like you got to work with

you know it’s like you got to work with what you got so you know but I was

what you got so you know but I was

what you got so you know but I was already pretty familiar with this

already pretty familiar with this

already pretty familiar with this concept of loneliness and feeling

concept of loneliness and feeling

concept of loneliness and feeling disconnected and it was quite awhile

disconnected and it was quite awhile

disconnected and it was quite awhile before I started to realize that I

before I started to realize that I

before I started to realize that I wasn’t alone in my loneliness that most

wasn’t alone in my loneliness that most

wasn’t alone in my loneliness that most people experience loneliness at some

people experience loneliness at some

people experience loneliness at some point in time that that feeling of being

point in time that that feeling of being

point in time that that feeling of being disconnected it’s kind of crazy

disconnected it’s kind of crazy

disconnected it’s kind of crazy seven-and-a-half billion of us on this

seven-and-a-half billion of us on this

seven-and-a-half billion of us on this planet and we can feel alone and

planet and we can feel alone and

planet and we can feel alone and disconnected it’s less crazy when you

disconnected it’s less crazy when you

disconnected it’s less crazy when you consider the fact that having community

consider the fact that having community

consider the fact that having community which is the point of this talk having

which is the point of this talk having

which is the point of this talk having community is not about being in

community is not about being in

community is not about being in proximity to others but it’s about

proximity to others but it’s about

proximity to others but it’s about forming deep and meaningful connection

forming deep and meaningful connection

forming deep and meaningful connection with others it’s something that we’re

with others it’s something that we’re

with others it’s something that we’re driven toward we want it in just deep

driven toward we want it in just deep

driven toward we want it in just deep within our soul we see Tom Hanks is so

within our soul we see Tom Hanks is so

within our soul we see Tom Hanks is so desperate for friendship when stranded

desperate for friendship when stranded

desperate for friendship when stranded on an island he decides to make a buddy

on an island he decides to make a buddy

on an island he decides to make a buddy out of a volleyball right calls him

out of a volleyball right calls him

out of a volleyball right calls him Wilson and gets his relationship will

Wilson and gets his relationship will

Wilson and gets his relationship will smith thinks he’s the only guy left

smith thinks he’s the only guy left

smith thinks he’s the only guy left alive in the world and he gets an

alive in the world and he gets an

alive in the world and he gets an intimate relationship with this dog in

intimate relationship with this dog in

intimate relationship with this dog in fact millions of us we have dogs as pets

fact millions of us we have dogs as pets

fact millions of us we have dogs as pets right because we want that unconditional

right because we want that unconditional

right because we want that unconditional love that they get now scientists are

love that they get now scientists are

love that they get now scientists are still baffled as to why people have cats

still baffled as to why people have cats

still baffled as to why people have cats they they assume it’s got something to

they they assume it’s got something to

they they assume it’s got something to do with a need to be disdained every

do with a need to be disdained every

do with a need to be disdained every once in a while but uh I’m just kidding

once in a while but uh I’m just kidding

once in a while but uh I’m just kidding about the cats don’t fill up my box with

about the cats don’t fill up my box with

about the cats don’t fill up my box with hate mail or kiddie videos you know and

hate mail or kiddie videos you know and

hate mail or kiddie videos you know and just I don’t need that stuff but I’m

just I don’t need that stuff but I’m

just I don’t need that stuff but I’m serious about our drive for connection

serious about our drive for connection

serious about our drive for connection for community that we

for community that we

for community that we need to have it in fact the best version

need to have it in fact the best version

need to have it in fact the best version of you cannot be found in isolation it

of you cannot be found in isolation it

of you cannot be found in isolation it can only be found in the context of

can only be found in the context of

can only be found in the context of community let me show you what I mean

community let me show you what I mean

community let me show you what I mean draft horses are the kind of a work fort

draft horses are the kind of a work fort

draft horses are the kind of a work fort they’re their work critter of the firm

they’re their work critter of the firm

they’re their work critter of the firm nor they they are very strong and if you

nor they they are very strong and if you

nor they they are very strong and if you take a good draft course it’s nice and

take a good draft course it’s nice and

take a good draft course it’s nice and healthy he could probably pull about

healthy he could probably pull about

healthy he could probably pull about 8,000 pounds which is impressive in that

8,000 pounds which is impressive in that

8,000 pounds which is impressive in that that’s like four tons he can just pull

that’s like four tons he can just pull

that’s like four tons he can just pull it so we got Billy here pulling the $8

it so we got Billy here pulling the $8

it so we got Billy here pulling the $8 we’re gonna use his brother who also can

we’re gonna use his brother who also can

we’re gonna use his brother who also can pull eight thousand pounds and so

pull eight thousand pounds and so

pull eight thousand pounds and so they’ve got some strong horses so it

they’ve got some strong horses so it

they’ve got some strong horses so it makes sense right we put these horses

makes sense right we put these horses

makes sense right we put these horses together if we were to Yocum so that

together if we were to Yocum so that

together if we were to Yocum so that they’re pulling in the same direction

they’re pulling in the same direction

they’re pulling in the same direction well they ought to be able to pull like

well they ought to be able to pull like

well they ought to be able to pull like 16,000 pounds right that just makes

16,000 pounds right that just makes

16,000 pounds right that just makes sense because it but they don’t instead

sense because it but they don’t instead

sense because it but they don’t instead what they do is they pull 24,000 pounds

what they do is they pull 24,000 pounds

what they do is they pull 24,000 pounds each of them contributes 50% more than

each of them contributes 50% more than

each of them contributes 50% more than what they were able to do on their own

what they were able to do on their own

what they were able to do on their own and that’s the power of community is

and that’s the power of community is

and that’s the power of community is that there’s something about the synergy

that there’s something about the synergy

that there’s something about the synergy that happens when we connect together in

that happens when we connect together in

that happens when we connect together in teams that we are able to do more

teams that we are able to do more

teams that we are able to do more connected than we are able to do alone

connected than we are able to do alone

connected than we are able to do alone and we know that that two heads are

and we know that that two heads are

and we know that that two heads are better than one right we’ve got that

better than one right we’ve got that

better than one right we’ve got that expression but we don’t think about is

expression but we don’t think about is

expression but we don’t think about is one head is better than one when it’s in

one head is better than one when it’s in

one head is better than one when it’s in the context of community so that’s what

the context of community so that’s what

the context of community so that’s what that’s what we see going on here and in

that’s what we see going on here and in

that’s what we see going on here and in fact that it’s so powerful it’s so

fact that it’s so powerful it’s so

fact that it’s so powerful it’s so important and I want to take this talk

important and I want to take this talk

important and I want to take this talk to explain to you how you can have

to explain to you how you can have

to explain to you how you can have community that makes you more of who you

community that makes you more of who you

community that makes you more of who you already are but to do that I first got

already are but to do that I first got

already are but to do that I first got to explain to you what I mean by

to explain to you what I mean by

to explain to you what I mean by community because when I’m talking about

community because when I’m talking about

community because when I’m talking about community I’m talking about a dynamic

community I’m talking about a dynamic

community I’m talking about a dynamic group of individuals who have a shared

group of individuals who have a shared

group of individuals who have a shared purpose a shared fate and a shared

purpose a shared fate and a shared

purpose a shared fate and a shared affection now the purpose is usually

affection now the purpose is usually

affection now the purpose is usually what is the initial thing that brings a

what is the initial thing that brings a

what is the initial thing that brings a community together there’s an ideal a

community together there’s an ideal a

community together there’s an ideal a plan something that we’re going to move

plan something that we’re going to move

plan something that we’re going to move toward it’s going to be that we’re going

toward it’s going to be that we’re going

toward it’s going to be that we’re going to have education that is empowering

to have education that is empowering

to have education that is empowering that’s moving us along we’re going to

that’s moving us along we’re going to

that’s moving us along we’re going to have leadership that’s meaningful and

have leadership that’s meaningful and

have leadership that’s meaningful and significant we have this idea and then

significant we have this idea and then

significant we have this idea and then we get other people that are

we get other people that are

we get other people that are had that shared that idea that purpose

had that shared that idea that purpose

had that shared that idea that purpose it’s bigger than us it’s more than us

it’s bigger than us it’s more than us

it’s bigger than us it’s more than us and we get together and as we work

and we get together and as we work

and we get together and as we work toward that we end up sharing a fate

toward that we end up sharing a fate

toward that we end up sharing a fate because we’re committed to that point

because we’re committed to that point

because we’re committed to that point and if it doesn’t happen we’re all

and if it doesn’t happen we’re all

and if it doesn’t happen we’re all losers and when it does happen we’re all

losers and when it does happen we’re all

losers and when it does happen we’re all winners we see that we just were hearing

winners we see that we just were hearing

winners we see that we just were hearing about the election that we’re we’re

about the election that we’re we’re

about the election that we’re we’re sharing a faith in this room and so in a

sharing a faith in this room and so in a

sharing a faith in this room and so in a sense we’re all looking towards one

sense we’re all looking towards one

sense we’re all looking towards one thing but what really sets apart

thing but what really sets apart

thing but what really sets apart communities from just being a group is

communities from just being a group is

communities from just being a group is the affection is the love that grows

the affection is the love that grows

the affection is the love that grows between people that connection that

between people that connection that

between people that connection that allows us to not just be after this

allows us to not just be after this

allows us to not just be after this purpose like if you’re getting together

purpose like if you’re getting together

purpose like if you’re getting together and your purpose is to build a

and your purpose is to build a

and your purpose is to build a playground at the end of the road and

playground at the end of the road and

playground at the end of the road and you get to other neighbors and they say

you get to other neighbors and they say

you get to other neighbors and they say hey we want to do this too and they’re

hey we want to do this too and they’re

hey we want to do this too and they’re going to share that because either we’re

going to share that because either we’re

going to share that because either we’re gonna get that playground made or our

gonna get that playground made or our

gonna get that playground made or our kids are going to drive us crazy at home

kids are going to drive us crazy at home

kids are going to drive us crazy at home we share a fate here but then you get

we share a fate here but then you get

we share a fate here but then you get the playground made and now suddenly

the playground made and now suddenly

the playground made and now suddenly you’re having dinner with Bob and Sally

you’re having dinner with Bob and Sally

you’re having dinner with Bob and Sally next door who you didn’t know before the

next door who you didn’t know before the

next door who you didn’t know before the playground but affection has grown and

playground but affection has grown and

playground but affection has grown and you start to build a community because

you start to build a community because

you start to build a community because now that we’ve done the playground well

now that we’ve done the playground well

now that we’ve done the playground well let’s see what else we can do to improve

let’s see what else we can do to improve

let’s see what else we can do to improve our community so the purpose is still

our community so the purpose is still

our community so the purpose is still there but now there’s a new thing

there but now there’s a new thing

there but now there’s a new thing happening of community where we’re

happening of community where we’re

happening of community where we’re pulled together to understand this

pulled together to understand this

pulled together to understand this better I want us to look at murmuration

better I want us to look at murmuration

better I want us to look at murmuration if you’re not familiar with that term a

if you’re not familiar with that term a

if you’re not familiar with that term a murmuration is what starlings do when

murmuration is what starlings do when

murmuration is what starlings do when they get together but we’re gonna try to

they get together but we’re gonna try to

they get together but we’re gonna try to have you look at that because these are

have you look at that because these are

have you look at that because these are murmuration the European starlings they

murmuration the European starlings they

murmuration the European starlings they flow form these beautiful things and as

flow form these beautiful things and as

flow form these beautiful things and as you can see it’s just it’s just a wonder

you can see it’s just it’s just a wonder

you can see it’s just it’s just a wonder to behold and it’s just a beautiful

to behold and it’s just a beautiful

to behold and it’s just a beautiful thing to watch them so much so that

thing to watch them so much so that

thing to watch them so much so that scientists from virtually every branch

scientists from virtually every branch

scientists from virtually every branch of science has come to study these

of science has come to study these

of science has come to study these murmuration and say why do starlings do

murmuration and say why do starlings do

murmuration and say why do starlings do this why do they form of things and how

this why do they form of things and how

this why do they form of things and how do they do this well as they’re trying

do they do this well as they’re trying

do they do this well as they’re trying to understand that they look at the how

to understand that they look at the how

to understand that they look at the how and one of the things they study is

and one of the things they study is

and one of the things they study is reaction time see the average person has

reaction time see the average person has

reaction time see the average person has a reaction time of about 270

a reaction time of about 270

a reaction time of about 270 milliseconds which is pretty quick it’s

milliseconds which is pretty quick it’s

milliseconds which is pretty quick it’s just over a quarter of a second it’s not

just over a quarter of a second it’s not

just over a quarter of a second it’s not too bad

too bad

too bad the average Starling when put into a

the average Starling when put into a

the average Starling when put into a laboratory and studied for its reaction

laboratory and studied for its reaction

laboratory and studied for its reaction time is about 76 milliseconds that’s

time is about 76 milliseconds that’s

time is about 76 milliseconds that’s pretty fast and we can see with that

pretty fast and we can see with that

pretty fast and we can see with that difference how quickly and it’s

difference how quickly and it’s

difference how quickly and it’s necessary because when they’re flying so

necessary because when they’re flying so

necessary because when they’re flying so close together that they have to make

close together that they have to make

close together that they have to make sure that they can they can react very

sure that they can they can react very

sure that they can they can react very quickly because the communication

quickly because the communication

quickly because the communication necessary to form these things how they

necessary to form these things how they

necessary to form these things how they they move it as though it’s one object

they move it as though it’s one object

they move it as though it’s one object they’re in the air and yet there could

they’re in the air and yet there could

they’re in the air and yet there could be thousands even a million birds that

be thousands even a million birds that

be thousands even a million birds that will be together in a flock so how do

will be together in a flock so how do

will be together in a flock so how do they communicate across such a large

they communicate across such a large

they communicate across such a large thing to make these beautiful things

thing to make these beautiful things

thing to make these beautiful things well they don’t they don’t watch the

well they don’t they don’t watch the

well they don’t they don’t watch the whole thing what they do is they pay

whole thing what they do is they pay

whole thing what they do is they pay attention to the seven birds that are

attention to the seven birds that are

attention to the seven birds that are the closest to them which is a

the closest to them which is a

the closest to them which is a fascinating thing because we’ve got now

fascinating thing because we’ve got now

fascinating thing because we’ve got now the modern photography the ways that

the modern photography the ways that

the modern photography the ways that they can do this so they can study the

they can do this so they can study the

they can do this so they can study the birds while flying and they also find

birds while flying and they also find

birds while flying and they also find out not unlike our draft horses reaction

out not unlike our draft horses reaction

out not unlike our draft horses reaction time gets quicker it gets down to about

time gets quicker it gets down to about

time gets quicker it gets down to about a hundredth of a second ten milliseconds

a hundredth of a second ten milliseconds

a hundredth of a second ten milliseconds so they’re faster more reactive when

so they’re faster more reactive when

so they’re faster more reactive when they’re flying together than when

they’re flying together than when

they’re flying together than when they’re in the laboratory being studied

they’re in the laboratory being studied

they’re in the laboratory being studied they form these beautiful formations

they form these beautiful formations

they form these beautiful formations because they are able to watch just the

because they are able to watch just the

because they are able to watch just the seven right around them and those seven

seven right around them and those seven

seven right around them and those seven just like in this room the tables are

just like in this room the tables are

just like in this room the tables are all set up with seven things at each

all set up with seven things at each

all set up with seven things at each table I have marveled that when I came

table I have marveled that when I came

table I have marveled that when I came in but if you looked at the seven that

in but if you looked at the seven that

in but if you looked at the seven that are closest to you the seven that are

are closest to you the seven that are

are closest to you the seven that are closer to the person next you might be a

closer to the person next you might be a

closer to the person next you might be a different seven there’ll be some overlap

different seven there’ll be some overlap

different seven there’ll be some overlap but it covers the entire flock so that’s

but it covers the entire flock so that’s

but it covers the entire flock so that’s my flock here today you’d all be covered

my flock here today you’d all be covered

my flock here today you’d all be covered in groups of seven and with reaction

in groups of seven and with reaction

in groups of seven and with reaction time at at a hundredth of a second

time at at a hundredth of a second

time at at a hundredth of a second they’re able to move together and make

they’re able to move together and make

they’re able to move together and make beautiful things out of a murmuration so

beautiful things out of a murmuration so

beautiful things out of a murmuration so they have the shared purpose but we

they have the shared purpose but we

they have the shared purpose but we looked at why do they do this the

looked at why do they do this the

looked at why do they do this the assumption that the scientists have now

assumption that the scientists have now

assumption that the scientists have now you talk to a bird watcher they’re

you talk to a bird watcher they’re

you talk to a bird watcher they’re saying they do it for the sheer joy of

saying they do it for the sheer joy of

saying they do it for the sheer joy of it because if you listen to them it’s

it because if you listen to them it’s

it because if you listen to them it’s noisy and they have a lot of talking

noisy and they have a lot of talking

noisy and they have a lot of talking going on but scientists will tell us

going on but scientists will tell us

going on but scientists will tell us they do this for safety because it

they do this for safety because it

they do this for safety because it confuses predators it keeps them

confuses predators it keeps them

confuses predators it keeps them together and they’re able to react as a

together and they’re able to react as a

together and they’re able to react as a group instead of as an individual which

group instead of as an individual which

group instead of as an individual which keeps them safer so they have a shared

keeps them safer so they have a shared

keeps them safer so they have a shared purpose and of course they’ve got a

purpose and of course they’ve got a

purpose and of course they’ve got a shared fate

shared fate

shared fate because it’s life or death for them

because it’s life or death for them

because it’s life or death for them because once that predator picks you off

because once that predator picks you off

because once that predator picks you off your fate is finished and they

your fate is finished and they

your fate is finished and they understand that we are all in this

understand that we are all in this

understand that we are all in this together every one of us is vulnerable

together every one of us is vulnerable

together every one of us is vulnerable we don’t know a whole lot about the

we don’t know a whole lot about the

we don’t know a whole lot about the affection of starlings that’s not

affection of starlings that’s not

affection of starlings that’s not something we’ve really studied but

something we’ve really studied but

something we’ve really studied but there’s an awful lot of them so we

there’s an awful lot of them so we

there’s an awful lot of them so we figure somebody’s getting busy so we

figure somebody’s getting busy so we

figure somebody’s getting busy so we don’t really know what’s going on there

don’t really know what’s going on there

don’t really know what’s going on there but there there’s a lot of the birds

but there there’s a lot of the birds

but there there’s a lot of the birds there so there’s some affection happen

there so there’s some affection happen

there so there’s some affection happen in some place all right and then so we

in some place all right and then so we

in some place all right and then so we have we had that going on what we do

have we had that going on what we do

have we had that going on what we do know is that they’re not around the same

know is that they’re not around the same

know is that they’re not around the same seven the entire time they’re flying

seven the entire time they’re flying

seven the entire time they’re flying it’s dynamic it changes they move

it’s dynamic it changes they move

it’s dynamic it changes they move throughout it because they get on the

throughout it because they get on the

throughout it because they get on the edge where it’s more dangerous and they

edge where it’s more dangerous and they

edge where it’s more dangerous and they move to the middle where it’s safer and

move to the middle where it’s safer and

move to the middle where it’s safer and everybody takes a turn because they’re

everybody takes a turn because they’re

everybody takes a turn because they’re all in it together so well Starling

all in it together so well Starling

all in it together so well Starling doesn’t fly up through the branches and

doesn’t fly up through the branches and

doesn’t fly up through the branches and say to the other starlings that other

say to the other starlings that other

say to the other starlings that other hey you guys the word is there’s about

hey you guys the word is there’s about

hey you guys the word is there’s about to be a murmuration in five minutes why

to be a murmuration in five minutes why

to be a murmuration in five minutes why don’t the seven of you stay right around

don’t the seven of you stay right around

don’t the seven of you stay right around me and whilst that will fly together the

me and whilst that will fly together the

me and whilst that will fly together the whole time we’ll stay as a bunch and

whole time we’ll stay as a bunch and

whole time we’ll stay as a bunch and there’ll be a lot more fun that way

there’ll be a lot more fun that way

there’ll be a lot more fun that way see that’s not community that’s a clique

see that’s not community that’s a clique

see that’s not community that’s a clique that decides that the safety of the

that decides that the safety of the

that decides that the safety of the group and that purpose isn’t important

group and that purpose isn’t important

group and that purpose isn’t important because cliques destroy purpose they

because cliques destroy purpose they

because cliques destroy purpose they destroy affection and so it focuses then

destroy affection and so it focuses then

destroy affection and so it focuses then in on about me what about me and that’s

in on about me what about me and that’s

in on about me what about me and that’s not community you don’t get community

not community you don’t get community

not community you don’t get community focused in community only happens when

focused in community only happens when

focused in community only happens when you focus out so that’s one of the

you focus out so that’s one of the

you focus out so that’s one of the things that we look at but to understand

things that we look at but to understand

things that we look at but to understand how this works

how this works

how this works a little bit more to give you some other

a little bit more to give you some other

a little bit more to give you some other ideas I want us to look at it from a

ideas I want us to look at it from a

ideas I want us to look at it from a perspective of a salad there we are

perspective of a salad there we are

perspective of a salad there we are because if you have a tossed salad you

because if you have a tossed salad you

because if you have a tossed salad you know I like salad I think that that’s a

know I like salad I think that that’s a

know I like salad I think that that’s a great thing to do you forget about the

great thing to do you forget about the

great thing to do you forget about the iceberg you know you get some romaine or

iceberg you know you get some romaine or

iceberg you know you get some romaine or maybe maybe a little bit of kale all the

maybe maybe a little bit of kale all the

maybe maybe a little bit of kale all the cool kids are eating kale today so let’s

cool kids are eating kale today so let’s

cool kids are eating kale today so let’s get some kale in there since you know

get some kale in there since you know

get some kale in there since you know cut up some tomatoes cucumbers got to

cut up some tomatoes cucumbers got to

cut up some tomatoes cucumbers got to have some onions in there sliced nice

have some onions in there sliced nice

have some onions in there sliced nice and thin to go on there maybe some

and thin to go on there maybe some

and thin to go on there maybe some olives make sure they’re kalamata those

olives make sure they’re kalamata those

olives make sure they’re kalamata those are the best

are the best

are the best and you get them out medgen getting your

and you get them out medgen getting your

and you get them out medgen getting your salad already and you got all the bowls

salad already and you got all the bowls

salad already and you got all the bowls with all your ingredients and you’re

with all your ingredients and you’re

with all your ingredients and you’re getting ready for yourself and you sit

getting ready for yourself and you sit

getting ready for yourself and you sit down and you eat your bowl of onions and

down and you eat your bowl of onions and

down and you eat your bowl of onions and you eat your bowl of peppers that would

you eat your bowl of peppers that would

you eat your bowl of peppers that would just be kind of weird wouldn’t it it

just be kind of weird wouldn’t it it

just be kind of weird wouldn’t it it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense I mean

doesn’t make a whole lot of sense I mean

doesn’t make a whole lot of sense I mean it might taste okay especially if you

it might taste okay especially if you

it might taste okay especially if you like those ingredients but it’s not

like those ingredients but it’s not

like those ingredients but it’s not really a salad see that the vegetables

really a salad see that the vegetables

really a salad see that the vegetables have failed to meet their potential

have failed to meet their potential

have failed to meet their potential because they’ve remained isolated and we

because they’ve remained isolated and we

because they’ve remained isolated and we do this when we try to make community

do this when we try to make community

do this when we try to make community and keep segregated see this is this is

and keep segregated see this is this is

and keep segregated see this is this is the kind of community that is plagued by

the kind of community that is plagued by

the kind of community that is plagued by the isms the sexism the racism the

the isms the sexism the racism the

the isms the sexism the racism the classism where the whole focus is on who

classism where the whole focus is on who

classism where the whole focus is on who do we keep out how do we keep ourselves

do we keep out how do we keep ourselves

do we keep out how do we keep ourselves separate and secure it’s not about the

separate and secure it’s not about the

separate and secure it’s not about the blending but it’s about the separation

blending but it’s about the separation

blending but it’s about the separation and community does not happen well like

and community does not happen well like

and community does not happen well like them so we get those selling we know

them so we get those selling we know

them so we get those selling we know that’s not how you make a salad we take

that’s not how you make a salad we take

that’s not how you make a salad we take all those bowls we dump them together

all those bowls we dump them together

all those bowls we dump them together into one big bowl and we toss it up and

into one big bowl and we toss it up and

into one big bowl and we toss it up and we look at all those veggies kind of

we look at all those veggies kind of

we look at all those veggies kind of snuggling with each other and making a

snuggling with each other and making a

snuggling with each other and making a beautiful salad and then we reach over

beautiful salad and then we reach over

beautiful salad and then we reach over grab ranch dressing and just start

grab ranch dressing and just start

grab ranch dressing and just start pouring it on you know

pouring it on you know

pouring it on you know and now our kalamata olives they taste

and now our kalamata olives they taste

and now our kalamata olives they taste like ranch dressing you know and that

like ranch dressing you know and that

like ranch dressing you know and that healthy kale tastes like ranch dressing

healthy kale tastes like ranch dressing

healthy kale tastes like ranch dressing and those tomatoes taste like ranch

and those tomatoes taste like ranch

and those tomatoes taste like ranch dressing right and we see this we see

dressing right and we see this we see

dressing right and we see this we see this a lot as we try to form community

this a lot as we try to form community

this a lot as we try to form community and we see this in institutions largely

and we see this in institutions largely

and we see this in institutions largely right what happens if you go to the

right what happens if you go to the

right what happens if you go to the military we’re gonna cut all your hair

military we’re gonna cut all your hair

military we’re gonna cut all your hair off we’re going to tell you when to

off we’re going to tell you when to

off we’re going to tell you when to stand sit get dressed and how and we

stand sit get dressed and how and we

stand sit get dressed and how and we want uniformity we don’t want

want uniformity we don’t want

want uniformity we don’t want individualism what happens if we want to

individualism what happens if we want to

individualism what happens if we want to go to school you’re gonna sit in your

go to school you’re gonna sit in your

go to school you’re gonna sit in your seat you’re gonna pay attention what

seat you’re gonna pay attention what

seat you’re gonna pay attention what happens we go to church right what we

happens we go to church right what we

happens we go to church right what we start to do these things where we make

start to do these things where we make

start to do these things where we make it that the individual is not really

it that the individual is not really

it that the individual is not really valued the institution is what is

valued the institution is what is

valued the institution is what is important that the community doesn’t

important that the community doesn’t

important that the community doesn’t really need you but you’re going to be a

really need you but you’re going to be a

really need you but you’re going to be a part of this and you’re all welcome you

part of this and you’re all welcome you

part of this and you’re all welcome you can all jump in the bowl but once you’re

can all jump in the bowl but once you’re

can all jump in the bowl but once you’re in the bowl we’re gonna cover you with

in the bowl we’re gonna cover you with

in the bowl we’re gonna cover you with Riaan stressing to make sure that you’re

Riaan stressing to make sure that you’re

Riaan stressing to make sure that you’re just like everybody else you know you

just like everybody else you know you

just like everybody else you know you can’t be unique you can’t be different

can’t be unique you can’t be different

can’t be unique you can’t be different you’re gonna be just like everybody else

you’re gonna be just like everybody else

you’re gonna be just like everybody else well that’s not really a good way to eat

well that’s not really a good way to eat

well that’s not really a good way to eat a salad

a salad

a salad plus the nutritionist tell us that’s not

plus the nutritionist tell us that’s not

plus the nutritionist tell us that’s not even healthy so what we do is we get all

even healthy so what we do is we get all

even healthy so what we do is we get all those ingredients together we put them

those ingredients together we put them

those ingredients together we put them in a bowl we toss them and we did a

in a bowl we toss them and we did a

in a bowl we toss them and we did a little salt and pepper because we want

little salt and pepper because we want

little salt and pepper because we want to season it a little bit and then we

to season it a little bit and then we

to season it a little bit and then we take a little oil a little vinegar put

take a little oil a little vinegar put

take a little oil a little vinegar put it on there something that’s going to

it on there something that’s going to

it on there something that’s going to accentuate the individual flavors we

accentuate the individual flavors we

accentuate the individual flavors we toss it together and now the flavors

toss it together and now the flavors

toss it together and now the flavors react to each other they play off one

react to each other they play off one

react to each other they play off one another and so the individual

another and so the individual

another and so the individual contributions of each vegetable are

contributions of each vegetable are

contributions of each vegetable are accentuated they’re separated and made

accentuated they’re separated and made

accentuated they’re separated and made to bring to their fullest without taking

to bring to their fullest without taking

to bring to their fullest without taking away from the overall salad experience

away from the overall salad experience

away from the overall salad experience and so we we don’t throw something like

and so we we don’t throw something like

and so we we don’t throw something like a ton of ranch dressing on because it

a ton of ranch dressing on because it

a ton of ranch dressing on because it takes away from salad and the

takes away from salad and the

takes away from salad and the individualists the liveliness of all

individualists the liveliness of all

individualists the liveliness of all those individual flavors and see when

those individual flavors and see when

those individual flavors and see when you’re having good community you’re

you’re having good community you’re

you’re having good community you’re going to have something that brings in

going to have something that brings in

going to have something that brings in all the differences and still maintains

all the differences and still maintains

all the differences and still maintains a purpose and still has a focus and an

a purpose and still has a focus and an

a purpose and still has a focus and an affection that grows see I have a

affection that grows see I have a

affection that grows see I have a community that I’m a part of and we

community that I’m a part of and we

community that I’m a part of and we decided that that community is something

decided that that community is something

decided that that community is something it’s way too good to be kept it to

it’s way too good to be kept it to

it’s way too good to be kept it to itself that’s the nature of community

itself that’s the nature of community

itself that’s the nature of community you want to share it and so what we do

you want to share it and so what we do

you want to share it and so what we do is we would have we bought a coffee shop

is we would have we bought a coffee shop

is we would have we bought a coffee shop downtown Mainstreet new work and we have

downtown Mainstreet new work and we have

downtown Mainstreet new work and we have it the whole point is I don’t you know

it the whole point is I don’t you know

it the whole point is I don’t you know I’m not a coffee drinker but we have it

I’m not a coffee drinker but we have it

I’m not a coffee drinker but we have it so we can have community and it doesn’t

so we can have community and it doesn’t

so we can have community and it doesn’t take much you can make community right

take much you can make community right

take much you can make community right where you are just a few points you

where you are just a few points you

where you are just a few points you don’t have to have advanced degrees or

don’t have to have advanced degrees or

don’t have to have advanced degrees or anything like that you can develop it on

anything like that you can develop it on

anything like that you can develop it on your own because first off you got to

your own because first off you got to

your own because first off you got to focus something on bigger than yourself

focus something on bigger than yourself

focus something on bigger than yourself if you’re focusing on yourself you’re

if you’re focusing on yourself you’re

if you’re focusing on yourself you’re not going to have community you’re going

not going to have community you’re going

not going to have community you’re going to have a clique and it’s always going

to have a clique and it’s always going

to have a clique and it’s always going to be bad even the people in the clique

to be bad even the people in the clique

to be bad even the people in the clique end up with a tough time you invite

end up with a tough time you invite

end up with a tough time you invite others to share your vision and you

others to share your vision and you

others to share your vision and you accept whoever comes always have an open

accept whoever comes always have an open

accept whoever comes always have an open seat don’t get the points or word get

seat don’t get the points or word get

seat don’t get the points or word get enough let’s close it down you know the

enough let’s close it down you know the

enough let’s close it down you know the best part of the group may not even join

best part of the group may not even join

best part of the group may not even join jet and so you want to have an open seat

jet and so you want to have an open seat

jet and so you want to have an open seat that’s always available you celebrate

that’s always available you celebrate

that’s always available you celebrate the differences that don’t hamper the

the differences that don’t hamper the

the differences that don’t hamper the purpose because there’s unique

purpose because there’s unique

purpose because there’s unique contributions that everyone can

contributions that everyone can

contributions that everyone can bring and as you do this you just watch

bring and as you do this you just watch

bring and as you do this you just watch as the affection grows as you pull

as the affection grows as you pull

as the affection grows as you pull together in one direction it’ll change

together in one direction it’ll change

together in one direction it’ll change your life

”

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