"For me, Los Angeles, New York, where I don't know my neighbors, where people don't necessarily care if they know their neighbors, I'm missing things that truly fed my soul when I was younger, the exchanges between people, the caring and the shared history with people"

In this quote by Sela Ward, the speaker assesses a sense of disconnection and longing for community that she relates to the busy, typically impersonal nature of life in significant metropolitan areas like Los Angeles and New York. Ward juxtaposes her lived experience in these cities with the developmental years of her life, suggesting a stark contrast in between the privacy of urban environments and the deep, nourishing connections experienced in her past.

Ward's mention of not knowing her next-door neighbors highlights a common critique of metropolitan living: the lack of close-knit neighborhoods where personal relationships and a sense of belonging prosper. In large cities, the large size and consistent movement can cause feelings of seclusion regardless of being surrounded by millions of people. Individuals may be more focused on their individual lives, professions, and personal pursuits, leaving little time or energy for developing relationships with those physically closest to them.

By stating she's "missing things that really fed [her] soul", Ward underscores the intrinsic human need for connection and neighborhood. Her choice of words recommends that these interpersonal exchanges are not just pleasant or preferable, but essential for emotional well-being. The lack of "caring and the shared history with people" indicates a longing for much deeper, more meaningful interactions that surpass shallow acquaintanceship.

This quote might resonate with numerous who have experienced comparable feelings of detachment in busy cities. It speaks to a universal yearning for meaningful human interaction and a neighborhood that supports, comprehends, and shares a common narrative. In essence, Ward is promoting for a way of life that values individual connections over privacy, where relationships are developed not simply out of convenience however from a genuine desire to connect and understand one another. This reflection serves as a suggestion of the importance of nurturing our neighborhoods, wherever we might live, and the profound effect such relationships can have on our personal fulfillment and sense of belonging.