A notification from clubhouse popped up on my iphone, reading ‘tea vibes…vr ar xr…’ with a familiar name of a friend as the host.
Never heard of Clubhouse? It’s a new(ish) app where you join audio chatrooms to converse with all sorts of folks (celebs, experts, enthusiasts) on all sorts of topics i.e. philosophy, politics, wealth building, kinks + fetishes (yep).
I clicked the notification and auto-joined said chatroom. It was perfect time since the convo began to unfold around how folx experienced first hand, the budding of romantic relationships within a virtual second life and in the case of playing through virtual horror games, were left borderline traumatized. Interesting stuff.
I personally knew both hosts so I raised my hand by tapping a hand icon, to add my two cents. The hosts - whom I haven’t spoken with since before the pandemic - were friends i’ve known from days back when I’d design for food (well, money that i’d later use for food). Simply put, I missed these people.
Recognizing me on the sidelines, my friend J had encouraged me to speak bringing me in with a thoughtful welcome. There were about 20 of us in the room, and I was up. Let me also add that this was a completely casual, completely laid back chatroom. But being a shy person when put on the spot, I briefly greeted J, rushed through sharing my thought on the subject, and quickly went back to muting myself. My two cents: ‘what ways VR is used in healing trauma’, was engaging enough where other members in the room began harping in on, which felt good. More folks joined in with other topics and ideas, eventually wrapping up with us all giving thanks and saying peace.
What a great experience I thought. I was left feeling like I learned something and was in a really good mood by the end. Downside was I passed up telling both my people how good it felt to reconnect with them. Reconnecting with a familiar voice on an unfamiliar platform, felt extra good; serving as a sense of normality in such an abnormal time.
I believe we often thrive on these subtle moments. These moments of noticing eachother. Moments of genuine admiration and appreciation. Moments of connection. Moments of authenticity. Moments of love. In essence that’s what they are, right? Love.
In one instance, for a split second, I didn’t feel this post was worthy enough to see the light of a computer screen because it would be insignificant. I do this a lot. Like that usual writer trope where the sad soul tediously works on their craft for way too long under burning candle light, just to toss it in a bin yelling ‘Basura!’(spanish for trash). Yeah, I could’ve been lead by my left brain; written this whole thing off as whatever, tossing it to the wind. Then I really wouldn’t have reflected on my wonderful experience in the chatroom, or how sweet it was to hear their voice, or express how good it feels to notice a seemingly subtle moment.
This being aware-and-present thing can be so meta. And it’s such a practice. A practice worth practicing.
It’s more of a note to self, that is, to notice opportunities for connection. To honor them and be present. To seize the damn moment! To let people know that I feel about them. Regardless how shy I am or unfamiliar a space may be.
Also
I’ll also take this opportunity to let you know that this weekend, starting today actually, is day 9 ish? of this writers fellowship I happily fell into. It demands a healthy chunk of time each week for the next two months so it may (or may not) slow things down here a bit. Bootcamp baby🏋🏽
Never-the-less i’m hyped to be in the presence of folx who do what they love and make it work for them however that looks. So far the communities energy is infectious(too soon?) in a good way; akin to catching a contact-high, or reaching a short-cut to writers enlightenment. The force is so damn strong with these individuals.
In all earnest, i’m grateful to put energy into this craft I enjoy and do it alongside others.
With Love + good vibes
Gaelan
Extras & references
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