There is a type of moment that is unlike any other.
It’s a moment that can be extremely meaningful. A singular human interaction that establishes both a certain level of affection and trust in one motion. This can happen with friends, relatives, and strangers alike. It’s a moment that connects you to others. To humanity. To the confusing, often abrasive world around you.
It’s the moment you realize that you’re not all alone.
I call this the “Same Team” effect.
The Same Team effect can manifest itself in many forms. It can happen if you see someone who drives the same kind of car that you do, or likes the same sports team. Maybe they’re from the same town, or like the same type of hobby. Simply put, it’s a connection. For me, it happens when I’m wearing something cool, like a t-shirt with a TARDIS on the front or my Space Invaders hoodie (and yes I have both of these).
Because Space Invaders are the coolest! (Jessica L. Tozer)
A stranger’s face will light up when they see it and say, “Oh hey! I like your shirt!”
I smile and say thanks, and sometimes that’s it. Sometimes we talk about our favorite Doctor or what retro games are worth playing. Sometimes I make friends with these people. Sometimes I never see them again. But for a moment – regardless if it’s fleeting or lasting – I am reminded that someone else is on my team. That someone stands in the same strange corner of the universe that I do.
And for some, that makes all the difference.
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