23rd May, 2024
The Longing to Belong
I've been reflecting on the theme of belonging and thought I'd share some quotes offering different perspectives. We all carry unique stories and feelings on this topic and often equate belonging with a geographical place or family. My invitation today, is to ask yourself if it's possible to open up to a deeper sense of belonging within, beyond place or family.
I imagine the world would be a very different place if we all felt like we belonged. I hope you find something here that speaks to you.
I imagine the world would be a very different place if we all felt like we belonged. I hope you find something here that speaks to you.
Shared Humanity
"Once we are made aware of the universality of our angsts and joys, we become one under the sky of humanity." - Mala Naidoo
There is much we have in common with each other which is a lovely thing to be reminded of. Going through challenging times can be an isolating experience, yet in opening up to others we often discover we are not alone.
Invisible Communities
Although I am a typical loner in daily life, my consciousness of belonging to the invisible community of those who strive for truth, beauty, and justice has preserved me from feeling isolated.— Albert Einstein
You don't have to be an Albert Einstein to feel a sense of belonging within an "invisible community". Some find it through passionate pursuits, dedication to common causes, through self-enquiry, devotion to an art-form, spirituality, on a dance floor, in an audience, the love of certain music, sports or favourite sports team. Possibly many of these "invisible communities" now exist more visibly as virtual communities.
Authenticity, Vulnerability & Self-acceptance
"True belonging is not passive. It’s not the belonging that comes with just joining a group. It’s not fitting in or pretending or selling out because it’s safer. It’s a practice that requires us to be vulnerable, get uncomfortable, and learn how to be present with people without sacrificing who we are. We want true belonging, but it takes tremendous courage to knowingly walk into hard moments."— Brené Brown
"Because true belonging only happens when we present our authentic, imperfect selves to the world, our sense of belonging can never be greater than our level of self-acceptance."— Brené Brown
Self-forgiveness & Inner Belonging
"One of the qualities that you can develop, particularly in your older years, is a sense of great compassion for yourself. When you visit the wounds within the temple of memory, you should not blame yourself for making bad mistakes that you greatly regret. Sometimes you have grown unexpectedly through these mistakes. Frequently, in a journey of the soul, the most precious moments are the mistakes. They have brought you to a place that you would otherwise have always avoided. You should bring a compassionate mindfulness to your mistakes and wounds. Endeavor to inhabit the rhythm you were in at that time. If you visit this configuration of your soul with forgiveness in your heart, it will fall into place itself. When you forgive yourself, the inner wounds begin to heal. You come in out of the exile of hurt into the joy of inner belonging."
- John O'Donohue
- John O'Donohue
If you've come to see me for kinesiology in recent times, you may have had the experience of doing "parts" work within your session (Internal Family Systems). We all have parts of ourselves that we have suppressed, rejected or shut down as a survival mechanism. Working with these parts and bringing them back into the love and acceptance of your own Self, can help you access the "joy of inner belonging" as described above.
Time in Nature, Earth Connection
"To witness that calm rhythm of life revives our worn souls and recaptures a feeling of belonging to the natural world."- George Schaller
"The Earth does not belong to us, we belong to the Earth"- Chief Seattle
"The Earth does not belong to us, we belong to the Earth"- Chief Seattle
Spending time in nature, connecting to an animal or even a tree, can help dissolve feelings of separateness. It's as though presence or beingness, in itself, is a silent form of communication with the whole. It can help you feel, without a doubt, that you are an essential and integral part of this web of life, this great mystery, this dance of consciousness, or however else you may wish to describe it.
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