B is for Belonging
Such a simple word for a huge concept.
You belong! You really do!
Because as humans, we need to belong. To one another, to our friends and families, to our culture and country, to our world.
Belonging is primal and fundamental to our sense of happiness and well-being just like the need for food and shelter. Early in our development, as school children we wanted to fit in; to be liked and to have friends.
I remember those days and sometimes it doesn’t seem so long ago. Looking back at my life now, I can identify times when I didn’t feel that I belonged.
As a mom, and especially as a mom of special needs children, I worry that my kids have that sense of belonging. I know they struggle and feel different. Maybe that’s just part of growing up for ALL of us. Some of us just negotiated those years more gracefully.
I recently attended a Middle School talent show at which my son was performing. For weeks prior to the event I was worried that my son would be laughed at and ridiculed, I worried that he would make a fool of himself. (Fortunately, I let that feeling go before the night of the event.)
I walked in to the school auditorium that night and immediately saw so many parents and children that I knew, all there with the same nervousness as I had. The same parents that I have attended so many school functions with over the years. The same kids that I have watched grow along with my son. Some of them were there JUST for my son! They cheered him on. They made him feel special. He is special and so very brave! He belongs. He’s gonna be ok I think. >sigh<
Neighbors. Friends. Family. People, my people. I belong. I feel it.
A sense of belonging to a greater community improves your motivation, health, and happiness. When you see your connection to others, you know that all people struggle and have difficult times. You are not alone. There is comfort in that knowledge. Belonging gives you a sense of purpose and of something that is greater than yourself and will transcend your time on this earth.
So dearest friends, Are you where you belong? Do you feel it? If not, why? Are you doing what you love? Are you with the people who love and accept you for you? Are you where you need to be? Are you trying to be something that you are not?
Be true to yourself! Be your most authentic self and you will find belonging. Bring with you the lessons from this time of un-belonging. You really do belong – you just may not know it yet.
Love & Light,
B
Such a simple word for a huge concept.
You belong! You really do!
Because as humans, we need to belong. To one another, to our friends and families, to our culture and country, to our world.
Belonging is primal and fundamental to our sense of happiness and well-being just like the need for food and shelter. Early in our development, as school children we wanted to fit in; to be liked and to have friends.
I remember those days and sometimes it doesn’t seem so long ago. Looking back at my life now, I can identify times when I didn’t feel that I belonged.
As a mom, and especially as a mom of special needs children, I worry that my kids have that sense of belonging. I know they struggle and feel different. Maybe that’s just part of growing up for ALL of us. Some of us just negotiated those years more gracefully.
I recently attended a Middle School talent show at which my son was performing. For weeks prior to the event I was worried that my son would be laughed at and ridiculed, I worried that he would make a fool of himself. (Fortunately, I let that feeling go before the night of the event.)
I walked in to the school auditorium that night and immediately saw so many parents and children that I knew, all there with the same nervousness as I had. The same parents that I have attended so many school functions with over the years. The same kids that I have watched grow along with my son. Some of them were there JUST for my son! They cheered him on. They made him feel special. He is special and so very brave! He belongs. He’s gonna be ok I think. >sigh<
Neighbors. Friends. Family. People, my people. I belong. I feel it.
A sense of belonging to a greater community improves your motivation, health, and happiness. When you see your connection to others, you know that all people struggle and have difficult times. You are not alone. There is comfort in that knowledge. Belonging gives you a sense of purpose and of something that is greater than yourself and will transcend your time on this earth.
So dearest friends, Are you where you belong? Do you feel it? If not, why? Are you doing what you love? Are you with the people who love and accept you for you? Are you where you need to be? Are you trying to be something that you are not?
Be true to yourself! Be your most authentic self and you will find belonging. Bring with you the lessons from this time of un-belonging. You really do belong – you just may not know it yet.
Love & Light,
B