In the Agora is a blog that often writes on social, political, and religious (Christian) topics. It’s got several authors who, though I don’t always agree with them, write well and put some thought and effort into defending their position. They’re from Indiana for the most part so sometimes they write about topics of a local nature, but for the most part the writings are applicable to anyone.
One of their most recent articles discusses the idea of “discipline of place” being a response to our highly transient, constantly evolving society and the sense of isolation it breeds.
David Darlington writes in “More on Isolation” the following:
By “discipline of place” I am referring to being bound to one’s local community by devotion and discipline regardless of what comes around. I am optimistic that if more people decided to value their local community and look to it for guidance and assistance in times of trouble, over big corporate or governmental bureaucracies, social capital would rebound. Though perhaps it might take serious local trauma plus a critical mass of people doing it for such a rediscovery to take place.
It’s an interesting idea, really. I realize I myself have a tendency to move from place to place and to seek new jobs when I tire of the one I have or the place I’m living.
Growing up, I lived all over the United States due to my father’s job in the military. Once he got out of the military, we bounced around to different cities in the same state looking for better jobs. During college, I stayed at the same school, but I spent each summer in different locations. Now that I’ve been out of college for two years in the same state, I’m looking to move on again.
Could I benefit from discipline of place? It would make it easier to maintain relationships. Not with the opposite-sex, though that would be a benefit, too — friendships would also qualify for this benefit. Deep friendships can be developed quickly when you bond over significant events or big discussions, but there must also be some long-term element to be acquired with time that can’t be developed any other way.
I think a large part of the reason I am constantly wanting to move on is fear. I’m afraid I’ll be stuck in the same place with the same sources of unhappiness in my life. I become convinced moving to a new place will help with this, but my problems will follow me. Sin migrates with the sinner if the sinner doesn’t let God’s grace do its thing.