Olof Eriksen

To Belong



Posted: Wednesday, September 10, 2008

by
Unique Systems, Inc.

Someone, I do not recall who, wrote a very good article about supporting each other within SearchWarp.

What follows also has to do with support, but presented in a different way, and why I have named this article, TO BELONG .

What does the word "belong" mean?

One can use the word "belong" in many ways and sentences, but to me, belong means especially one important thing.

It also means to fit in and that to me has some other powerful meanings.

However, for you to understand my interpretation of fit in, you must understand my past.

I am new to SearchWarp and tomorrow, 9-11, I have been a member for three weeks. When I was first invited to join, I was apprehensive, and I felt ill at ease.

Though I had recently introduced a book, Memoirs of an Immigrant, I was a novice, and still am, and I did not feel I could belong in the SearchWarp society of authors and writers.

I am a nobody and all of you are somebody.

I knew that some of you would get upset when I said that.

Listen to me! Calm down! Do not get angry.

Social status, or class, is very prevalent in Norway , and when I arrived in Sweden and lived there for four years, many made sure to tell me I did not belong, including my professor in college.

This really did not bother me because my social status was considered nil to none and I had learned to accept that. Also, my father was a fisherman, a man of low esteem, and if I had to talk to you I was not allowed to address you as a you. I had to say Mister, or Aunt if a woman older then me.

So maybe I have a complex, or that most people are better then me.

Therefore, and if there is any Norwegians amongst you who are reading this, you know what I mean, or that "over there" we had to worry about addressing a person as a du or as a De, both in Norway and Sweden .

I do not worry about it any more, but every so often it will pop up. Or, - Do I belong? Will I fit in?

And here is what I really wanted to tell you

It pleases me beyond words to receive a comment on my computer, and always good at that, or that so and so has joined my fan club.

It may not mean much to you, but to this son of a fisher man, it means the world.

It means that you have accepted my writings, be they good or bad, and that I am allowed to walk within your circle.

And so I thank all of you for having accepted me, and for having joined my fan club. That includes Judge Drew and Lorrie Davids who joined today.

PS. Lorrie is about to become a grandma. You folks did not know that, did you?

Anyway, so it used to be and today I live on a street with professionals all around me, but it has taken a tremendous effort to adjust and adopt.

Be well, Thank you and God Bless,

This Article has been viewed 67 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)
» left by Teresa Ortiz
 3 years 138 days ago.
187 fans.
Olof, you made me cry a sweet tear. I love your humor here, I did get mad when you called yourself a nobody and then you told me calm down. Good job!  You are a somebody to us, and we are glad you joined us. Special thanks to the one who encouraged you to join!! I
 
You will have to forgive me, I just noticed I am not a member of your fan club, I thought I joined a while back. But then again, I can never count on my memory :-)
 
Lord bless you--you are specially made and the apple of God's eye
» left by Olof Eriksen
from Cedar Knolls. Nj 3 years 138 days ago.
Dear Teresa,

 

Thank you for commenting on my artickle. By the way. How in the world am I going to search my soul to find a place in order to forgive you?

Of course I forgive you. 

Also this. Someone sent me what you will find below from your namesake.

Have a nice day, 

Olof

 

“DO IT ANYWAY”


 


People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway.


 


If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway.


 


If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.  Succeed anyway.


 


If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.  Be honest and sincere anyway.


 


What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.  Create anyway.


 


If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.


 


The good you do today, will often be forgotten.  Do good anyway.


 


Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.  Give your best anyway.


 

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway.

-      Found written on the wall in Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta.

 
» left by Teresa Ortiz 3 years 138 days ago.
187 fans.
This is great!  Thanks for sharing :-)  Have a blessed day!
» left by Sandra E. Graham
from Paragould, Ar USA 3 years 138 days ago.
247 fans.
Great work, Olof. You are doing so well in your writing--And I'm not just saying that because you are special to me. I'm saying it because it's true as you can tell from all your other fans. I know you have read my second book, Nicolina; but have you read my first?  AMOS JAKEY is the story of a young Arkansas orphan who loses his family in one short day and is taken away by an old Mexican migrant worker. The story takes place beginning in the early 1900's . You might enjoy it if you have time to read.
 
Lots of Luck and Best Wishes Always,
 
Sandra
» left by Lorrie Davids
 3 years 137 days ago.
96 fans.
Olof, My mother's parents were from Sweden. I think that because you are Scandinavian, your writing drew me. I never knew my grandpa, and once he moved to the US, they were all trying so hard to learn English they stopped speaking Swedish. I wish they had passed the language down. There are so many stories I will never hear because no one spoke of them. It was a new start in a new land. I admire you for writing your life experiences down for future generations. My mom had a blue and yellow kitchen and I have recipes passed down from my grandma with the secret ingredient of cardamom. Most of my friends have never heard of it. I remember my mom eating "Ry-Krisp" - I'm told it is a Swedish thing. Thanks for stirring up that part of me that wants to know more. I may even check into the Swedish geneology someday. I know I have cousins in Sweden. All that said to encourage you to keep writing your stories. I know I am enjoying them.

» left by Olof Eriksen
 3 years 137 days ago.
Lorrie,
 
The world is getting smaller every day. As to "Ry-Krisp" I know that we call that "Knekkebrod" in Norway, and in Sweden we call it "Knakkebrod", the precise spelling being 2 dots over the -o- and the -a- in swedish. That, by the way, is all the swedish teaching I will do today.
Have a nice day.
» left by Michelle Mackin
 3 years 137 days ago.
96 fans.
Dear Olof,
 
Thank you for sharing your heart with us all. I am so guilty of feeling as though I don't fit in or am not good enough. I often have to be reminded that "His grace is enough." That is easier said than done for me as I felt abandoned much of my life.
 
Love, hugs and blessings always
» left by Olof Eriksen
from Cedar Knolls. NJ 3 years 136 days ago.
Dear Michelle,
Odd, or maybe it is meant to be that someone will touch upon a subject, or alike to what I wrote above. And then our past come into view, and we look at ourself like you just made note of above.
Thanks for sharing and caring,
 
Olof
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