The Importance of Having Peers
Posted by: CCL Web Admin
2021-07-01 10:31
A post by Bruce Ario
Some people seemingly go through life never having what they think of as peers. They might have friends, co-workers, fellow students, etc. but they don’t take it to the level of peers. They might feel like they’re not good enough, or conversely that they’re better than others. I think that’s a shame.
I feel quite fortunate that I have peers in my Fairweather Program. I didn’t initially feel that way. I was an individualist or so I thought. Eventually when I looked back I understood how I had been interdependent my whole life. Any fantasies that I did my whole life on my own was based on fleeting fits of self-grandeur and shallow characteristics that could never give me the life I have now in Fairweather. In fact, upon reflection, Jesus was the only individualist I could respect, and even he had disciples.
Having peers who you’re interdependent with is a safe choice despite the work involved. And it is work. You make yourself vulnerable to a group of people, yet ask for their respect. People generally give respect but it is earned, not a given. You get respect when you’re sharing the load, and working on your weak points.
A Lodge can’t function unless everyone is a strong contributing member. But we aren’t Arnold Schwarzenegger or Stephen Hawking. People need wiggle room. It’s a great talent to know how much to give. This is something you learn through trial and error. So everybody in the Lodge has a place, and that is a comfort.