Absurdity and the Consequential Stranger

In his essays, Albert Camus states that individual lives and human existence in general have no rational meaning or order. Since most people have difficulty accepting this notion, they constantly attempt to identify or create rational structure and meaning in their lives. The term “absurdity” describes humanity’s futile attempt to find rational order where none exists.

We don’t always pay attention to the cumulative effects of a warm hello, or help with a package, or a daily text, or a photograph that makes us smile. But when someone or something is no longer there--you realize how those brief, subtle, everyday interactions add up. And, it’s not a futile attempt to create rational structure … consequential strangers matter. Relationships needn't be painted as "close" or "not-close," but rather as meaningful. Why--because meaningful relationships are important social and spiritual principles.

We genuinely need people we can trust to tell us the truth, even when it is difficult to hear. In a fast-paced, high-tech, highly mobile society, we must be intentional in cultivating connectedness and community. The joy of living well is found in stepping beyond our independence and isolation towards a quality of life only to be found with others.

If nothing had any meaning, Camus would be right …

4 comments :

  1. Bonnie, I'm glad I found your blog through Google Alerts. Thanks for your post about the importance of consequential strangers and, most of all, for spreading the word that we shouldn't dichotomize relationships as close or not-close! I hope people realize that there is a lot of good advice in "Consequential Strangers,"which is why we changed the subtitle in the paperback to "Turning Everyday Encounters Into Meaningful Moments." Thanks!
    Melinda Blau, co-author, Consequential Strangers and the voice of the CS blog: http:\\www.consequentialstrangers.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. You are welcome, Melinda! Many thanks to you ...

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Meet the Publisher

Bonnie Morét is an award-winning photographer recognized by The Georgia Council of the Arts as "an exceptional representation of contemporary Georgia art work." Her photography is featured on Georgia Public Broadcast's Georgia Traveler. Her exhibitions include Fifth Annual Exposure Awards at Musee du Louvre in Paris, France, Art Takes Miami at Scope Art during Art Basel Miami, Metro Montage XIII at the Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art, World of Water at the Georgia Aquarium, Open Walls at Black Box Gallery in Portland, Oregon, Wholly Georgia: A Look at the Effects of Southern Religious Culture, sponsored by the Art History League and Georgia State University, at Mint Gallery in Atlanta, Georgia, 6x6 at the Rochester Contemporary Arts Center in Rochester, New York, @Phonography: Dialogue in the Wireless Age, at 3 Ring Circus in New Orleans, Louisiana, and About Lands and Lives of the Civil War at the 6th Cavalry Museum in Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia. Her photography appears in Modern Luxury/The Atlantan, Jezebel Magazine, and hangs in the executive offices at the Georgia State Capitol as part of the Art of Georgia exhibit. Corporate clients include Atlanta Ballet, Atlanta History Center, Chanel Cosmetics, Christian Dior Cosmetics, Sharp Mountain Vineyards, PM Realty Group, Granite Properties, Road Atlanta, Patrón Tequila, StubHub, CBM Records and The Washington Auto Show.