By Mary Schulz, Community Voices

So yeah, I’m kinda out there. Most who know me, accept that. Allow me a little latitude here. Do you suppose, just maybe, we’re all one shared energy force? I find the concept tangible.

Recently, around a fire pit, (and OK, with an adult beverage or two) I introduced the notion. Perhaps it was because I’d just given the host smudge sticks, which at first blush seem rather freakazoid. Or maybe, because I didn’t really know these peeps. Not surprising, I suppose, but once I started rambling about our shared metaphysics, I lost them somewhere. Pretty sure they were rolling their eyes and sneaking sideways glances. (Reminded me of that godforsaken night when I tried my hand at karaoke.) Anyway.

It’s a friendly concept really. We’re all connected, not by blood, but by energy. Other people’s energy either nourishes you or it depletes you. Really that simple. You feel it too? Some people, despite our best efforts, feel awkward to be around. Kind of like wool. Seemingly the kindest and most genuine folk, and yet, you just can’t find a comfort zone. Every once in awhile, you cross paths with someone whose vibe is so mixed up the hair on the back of your neck stands up. At the opposite end of the spectrum, there are peeps who charge the room with electricity just by their presence. Good motivational speakers usually can. They start moving and talking and you experience their energy. I have a new boss who emits energy. A tornado of vigor who moves and shakes and shifts and is usually smiling – in spite of the trail of bedlam in his path. As I get older, I pay attention to my physical responses to people. It’s interesting, and I think, relevant.

So what’s your energy force?

We took (a billion dollar) traveling soccer road trip to the other side of Wisconsin recently. Immediately we discovered people of the like. Negatives and positives -- like a battery. Be that as it may, it’s the combination, the resistance that’s so interesting. The sidelines are now stronger with our collective shared experience. And in my geeky world of energy, we’re a stronger united (energy) force.

I can only imagine what my energy output must be. Sometimes I feel like my chemistry is a tad off center. Sorry about that dudes. I’m working it out. My husband has amazing energy. Sort of calm and relaxed, but genuine and honest; like a down sleeping bag, comfortable and forgiving. I thank the Gods for him. It’s like yin and yang, the two making up the one. Winter and summer.

So if you realize different people emit different energy, who do you attract? I need, I require, optimistic people. I’m a mess most of the time; throw me in a room of negative, pessimistic downbeats and it takes just seconds for me to internally combust. If you think about it, if you know you do better with positive people, and you make an effort to surround and attract yourself with such, things become positive for you. You manifest it. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy.

So have I geeked you out? We’re all so very different and yet so very much the same. Sometimes the strength of our relationships is found in the mixture of our differences. (Some of my best friends are Republicans!) If you spend the better half of your adult life searching for a clearer sense of identify, there is an unbelievable sense of wholeness and connectedness when you consider perhaps you share something vital with everybody. A common thread. Beautiful thing is, if we do share one big ole energy field (and I think we do), we can make some stuff happen. It’s endless. Problems, burdens, beauty and possibility. Just hanging with us, waiting for us to tap into it one way or the other. What’s your energy force?

(Mary Schulz is one of about 10 people who contribute regularly to “Community Voices.” This column is one of several opinion and commentary pieces appearing regularly in this newspaper.).)