John Koenig made up a list of words to describe emotions that we all have but have no language to describe. It’s called The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows. One of those words, onism, describes the frustration of being stuck in one body that inhabits only one place at a time. Each one of us represents only one of the 8 billion consciousnesses on the planet. Even the most well traveled of us will only be in a minuscule percent of all the places it’s possible to be. We will know so few of the people we could possibly know. We will see so few of the things that ever happen. We will miss nearly everything.
I find the concept of onism very easy to understand and appreciate. And at times lament that I just can't keep going until I have seen and experienced everything. That said, I feel very fortunate about all the places I have seen and all of the things that I have done. I'm pretty happy with the minuscule portion I can bear witness to by having experienced it vicariously or in the flesh. I think I'll just keep going until I can't go anymore, adding to the list as often as I can.
When I look up at the flight status board at an international airport, it really resonates that there are many places I haven't been. But I don't stress over it because there are many places I don't want to go to. I've often said to my friends and family that I have done and seen more things by the age of 30 than most people experience of a lifetime. I'm okay with just having passed through.
I think I'm a better person for having passed through much of the world. I have a wider and fuller understanding of how it all fits together. My closest friends often say I am not of my own culture. I have a certain disdain for Americans as I've been able to contextualize the American culture among many others in the world. It is still the best there is but we can do a lot better.
My story is useless and worthless unless I can convey it in a manner that enriches the lives of those that have not seen or done the places and things I have. I have been the beneficiary of those vicarious experiences and in willing to reciprocate as I can.
Reflections on Phil Klay's Redeployment
Sean, great piece, thanks for sharing.
I find the concept of onism very easy to understand and appreciate. And at times lament that I just can't keep going until I have seen and experienced everything. That said, I feel very fortunate about all the places I have seen and all of the things that I have done. I'm pretty happy with the minuscule portion I can bear witness to by having experienced it vicariously or in the flesh. I think I'll just keep going until I can't go anymore, adding to the list as often as I can.
When I look up at the flight status board at an international airport, it really resonates that there are many places I haven't been. But I don't stress over it because there are many places I don't want to go to. I've often said to my friends and family that I have done and seen more things by the age of 30 than most people experience of a lifetime. I'm okay with just having passed through.
I think I'm a better person for having passed through much of the world. I have a wider and fuller understanding of how it all fits together. My closest friends often say I am not of my own culture. I have a certain disdain for Americans as I've been able to contextualize the American culture among many others in the world. It is still the best there is but we can do a lot better.
My story is useless and worthless unless I can convey it in a manner that enriches the lives of those that have not seen or done the places and things I have. I have been the beneficiary of those vicarious experiences and in willing to reciprocate as I can.
Thanks again for writing this piece.
Dave