There was an experiment that happened in Denmark. A group of a hundred or so people were brought in, and divided into subgroups, such as those from the city and those who have never seen a cow. Students and retirees. These are categories we slip into easily, like soft slippers.

Then the organizers made a shift.

"We are going to ask more personal questions, to shuffle you."

"Come forward if you were the class clown." Chuckles fluttered through the crowd as people owned up and stepped into the center. This collection crossed the barriers of age and economics.

"Those of you who believe in life after death." More shifting, as the believers acknowledged one another with this fresh metric.

"Everyone who is lonely." The ensemble of people who feel isolated were.... together.

"If you have been bullied." No words were exchanged as people stood shoulder to shoulder, knowing that they had a shared experience. 

"If you were the bully." This was indeed personal. There were a few tears as people remembered the accusations, the gestures, the need to dominate. Even our faults can bring us closer when we are willing to change. 

The game continued as everyone did an inward inventory. 

"If you describe yourself as self confident."

"People who love to dance."

"Gardeners."

One of the fascinating aspects of the exercise was that each person determined where they fit. No voices from the outside decreed "You belong. But you do not." No one who stepped into the middle was accosted.

"Wrong! You don't love to dance."

Our alikenesses can dwarf our differences, should we choose to observe them. Tally them up like canned good in the pantry, ready for a blustery night when affection is in short supply. 

Because there is one time we all step into the middle. 

"People who want to be loved."