Ok, so picture this: I'm at a ridiculously themed escape room, right? All cobwebs and flickering candles. Our scenario? We're supposed to be initiated into...you guessed it...a secret society of assassins! Ridiculous, I know. We're fumbling with clues, mostly tripping over each other, and I swear, half the "ancient" artifacts are from IKEA. Then, one of my friends, bless her heart, dramatically proclaims, "We have been adopted by the family of assassins!" Dramatic pause. We all burst out laughing. But…it got me thinking.
Adopted by the family of assassins. It sounds like the title of a terrible YA novel, doesn't it? But behind the silliness, there's this fascinating idea of being willingly brought into a group – even a potentially dangerous or morally questionable one. And that idea resonates way beyond escape rooms and fictional societies.
Think about it: We're all, on some level, seeking belonging. We gravitate towards groups that share our values, our interests, our…cough…criminal tendencies (kidding!). We choose to be part of certain "families," whether they're based on blood, shared hobbies, or even, dare I say, political ideologies. So are we ever really “adopted by the family of assassins” in our real lives? It’s probably a rhetorical question, but…
But what does "adoption" really mean here?
It's not just about joining a group. It's about being welcomed, accepted, and integrated into its core values and principles. In the escape room context, it’s about understanding the rules of the game, buying into the narrative, and actively participating in the "assassin" lifestyle (read: solving puzzles). But in real life, it's so much more complex. It can mean conforming to certain behaviors, adopting specific beliefs, and even turning a blind eye to things that might make you uncomfortable.
Think about the allure of cults, for example. (I know, heavy stuff, but bear with me!). They often offer a sense of belonging and purpose that’s incredibly appealing, especially to people who feel lost or disconnected. They "adopt" you into their fold, providing a ready-made family and a clear set of rules to live by. The problem, of course, is that this "adoption" often comes at a steep price: loss of autonomy, manipulation, and potentially harmful consequences.
And it's not just cults. It can happen in less extreme ways too. Maybe you join a sports team and start adopting their competitive mindset, even if it means sacrificing other aspects of your life. Or maybe you get caught up in a particular social media trend and start conforming to its expectations, even if it feels inauthentic. It is like you are being adopted slowly but surely.
The question then becomes: How do we navigate this constant process of being "adopted" by different groups and identities? How do we maintain our own sense of self while still belonging to something bigger than ourselves?
I think it boils down to awareness and critical thinking. We need to be aware of the values and principles of the groups we're joining, and we need to critically examine whether those values align with our own. It's not about rejecting all forms of belonging, but about being intentional about who we choose to "adopt" as our family – and what that "adoption" entails. Because, let's be honest, nobody wants to end up as an accessory in a murder plot. (Unless, of course, you are in an escape room. Then, all bets are off!). So, what are your thoughts? What "families" have you been adopted into, and how has it shaped you? Let me know in the comments!
