There's No "I" in A-L-A-S-K-A

I read an article today. It was about the church's different views on the Trinity and how those views determine much of the leadership structure and relational dynamic of a church (think static/hierarchical/patriarchal vs. dynamic/egalitarian). A bit nerdy, I know, but I thought it was fascinating (you can read it here). Anyway, there was this quote that really struck me:

I think that we are witnessing a fundamental shift in what society values as ‘real’, with a heavy emphasis on relationality as the answer. The philosophers used to say that ‘the real is rational’. Now they say that ‘the real is relational’. In fact, Deleuze has pointed out that ‘even the rational is relational’. Modern science has shown us that particles exist not as absolute entities but as entities defined solely by their relationships to other particles. People deeply want genuine connection and relationship to ground them and to give them life.

We are defined by our relationships (or lack of them): relationships with one another, with the earth, with our culture and society, and (listen, fellow consumers!) with our possessions.

Have you ever seen the movie "Into the Wild"? It's this compelling story about a young man who tries and tries and tries to cut himself off from a society that he deems insufficient and superficial (and there is some nobility and truth to his quest). But what happens when he finally does create that separation through a VW Van in the Alaskan wilderness and a pile of books? Christopher McCandless writes these haunting words as he is dying. In an old van. In the middle of nowhere. Alone.

"Happiness is real when shared".

We can't escape each other, no matter how hard we might try. And really, I think, most of us don't want to. At least not in the same way that Chris McCandless did. But it is our choice which relationships we allow to define us.

OK, stepping off my soap-box now.