I often go back to the idea of belonging. Life has been presenting me with many opportunities to study this concept. Brené Brown frequently speaks of belonging. Her definition is,
"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."
How often do I show my true self? Not as often as I would be proud to say. I can be the best chameleon out there. When I hide myself to the world, I'm lying and deceiving me. Is this what Life has asked of me? Is this what the Universe envisions for my time here on earth? I don't believe so.
My good friend's sister sent me a book called, Belonging: Remembering Ourselves Home. I read the first chapter and had to put it down. It was that thought-provoking and I need to sit with it before I continue. The word remembering is re-member; a verb describing us coming back to being a part of something larger than ourselves.
The more I seek belonging, the smaller my tribe becomes. I am okay with this. Back in my teenage and twenty-something years, the number of phone numbers I had in my contact book meant something to me. It wasn't the quality of the relationships, just merely the quantity. This is no longer my style. I am most happy around people who accept me for all of me, including the ugly parts I do try to hide from time to time.
To my tribe: I love you. Thank you!
