By Ariadne Emmengard
Plurality is a thing. That is a weird sentence. In fact, this is a weird conversation to have at all. But there it is. Plurality is a thing. In medical terms it was once diagnosed as Multiple Personality Disorder. Now it is called Dissociative Identity Disorder.
However, “disorder” is such an ugly word to describe this beautiful experience that for us is just our life. So even though we are diagnosed DID, we don’t identify with that label. We aren’t broken. We aren’t shattered or split or fragmented. We are plural. It is just what it is, like having green eyes.
We are so much more than just a sort of weird way of experiencing the world. We are artists, writers, friends, partners. We are people, we just happen to share one brain.
We are a bit like the Guest House that Rumi talks about in his poem. But then, we think all people are in a way.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.
Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
“You are not a drop in the ocean, you are the entire ocean in a single drop.” -Rumi
We humans are infinite.
So who are we, specifically? We are a motley tribe of 22 people who all love each other and support each other. We celebrate in one another’s triumphs and shoulder one another’s sorrows.
No one is more real or more important that anyone else.
Some people’s art is dark and brooding, some is light and silly.
We genuinely and deeply value each other and the work we do.
Art doesn’t have to be pretty in our opinion. It just has to make you feel something, anything. If it can do that, it is doing something important.
Everyone matters. Everyone is important. No one is extra.
“There is nothing more metal than emotional honesty.” – Conrad of Emmengard
“In a battle with your inner demons, bring glitter glue.” – Phillis of Emmengard