Cohousing-L Mailing List: People Purifier - The "True" One

[Mmariner (Mmariner]

This is the *earnest* Mike M speaking (tongue OUT of cheek):

I believe living in community is the true people purifier because you get
called on your shit and have to adapt your behavior and be more responsible
and more accountable in many ways.  You learn conflict resolution and
compromising to make a consensus.  You share your vision.

Somebody [here on the server?] recently described living in community as a
crucible where you  get your edges worn smooth by interacting with one
another.  I suppose, worst case, you can get ground to a powder also -- if
someone wields a large pestle (sp?)

I've had a tendency to to be reclusive during some periods in my life.  So
the times when I'm living in closer community, whether an alternative school
or the Greens or just a co-op household, I learn a lot from the frequent
interactions with people who don't think/act like I do.  Imagine that!  There
*is* diversity:  people have the gall to think differently from me!

But I don't believe it's possible to be completely pure or perfect -- not in
this life.

Remember what Billy Idol said in his '80's rock song, "White Wedding" :

"There's nothing pure in this world and 
There's nothing safe in this world and
There's nothing sure in this world, but

It's a nice day for a white wedding,
A nice day to [power chord - scream]  start again"

Mike M