No Man Is an Island

Ignoring the gender-discrimination of John Donne’s little aphorism, I like the quotation. Unfortunately, it contradicts every fiber of my nature and nurture. I was raised to be independent. I like to make my own choices, keep my own schedule, go where I want to go, and say what I want to say.

But some things are so much better than that. All of my favorite books are former recommendations from someone else, books I often was reluctant to read (The Thief). Same thing with favorite movies (The Lives of Others or Dr. Horrible’s Sing-a-long Blog). The tv show I’m currently wrapped up in has me captivated partially because I know one of my best friends would absolutely love the main character. Some of the best days of my life have happened on someone else’s whim. And most of the best decisions I’ve ever made are the ones God already made for me.

People are tiring sometimes. They let you down and let things separate you. Maybe that’s what relationships are: collapsing, colliding, contorting. Constant circling around until you realize that despite the bumps, the contortions were the best part of it all. At least I hope so. I’m still pretty young, for a hobbit.

Hilary and I know about co-dependency

No man is an island, entire of itself

every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main

if a clod be washed away by the sea

Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were

as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were

any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind

and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls

it tolls for thee