Building the Dam Story

At the end, if there is success, one wonders how. Through this wonder one discovers the story. This blog is dedicated to that discovery.

Monday, June 21, 2010

On Camaraderie

Place a group of caring human beings together, willing to work towards a project or projects, and the outcome is usually productive. What is it that builds up the good in society but people who find camaraderie while performing or commenting on a project, a tast, even in recreation.

At the dam site, early 1931, workers were thinking of few things but that they had jobs, meaning a paycheck, meaning they could eat and have shelter. Society had come to a place where if these things were intact, then everything was decent with a man. Thus, to share the joy of getting what they felt they needed for a decent life, meant an additional joy, aka camaraderie.

A life that gives a person the feeling he is contributing for the good of others as well as himself is considered productive. And this is the foundation for camaraderie. We see it all the time. At the beach, surfers of a certain age will stand around talking about the conditions. Surf conditions yes, but also the condition of their lives. And often if one feels productive (in and out of the surf)it can inspire others to be as well.

Like the workers at the Hoover Dam, the conditions often depend upon talking to another to realize what we are thankful for and also for addressing common complaints that remind each of us we are still human. Yes,still imperfect and as thus, live in this beautiful imperfect world.

It doesn't take a lot to make a person happy, but to share with others about those things, to have the camaraderie, well, this is the icing on the cake of life.

We need each other, no matter how much we believe we can accomplish something on our own. And it's in the sharing that sweetens life, even if it lends itself to boasting or bragging. In the end without our "peeps" we are sorely at a lack.