Belonging for Wellness: Magical Moments with Tara Sweet Awakening

Rise and Soar

Belonging. What comes up for you when you think of this word?

The thought of ‘belonging’ may stir up different feelings. Is it loneliness? Is it isolation? Is it a sense of connection with others? Is it feeling whole? Is it a feeling of separateness from others?

It’s a natural part of the human experience to have a true sense of belonging in your friend groups, family systems, among colleagues, and in the community. Feeling part of the tribe creates a steady foundation as it shapes strong bonds with those we care about and helps you feel secure.

For those of you who have at one point, or another didn’t have a sense of belonging, I want you to know you are not alone.

There are many factors (not limited to the list below) that play a role in feeling like you don’t belong anywhere such as:

• Racism: ethnic minorities encounter discrimination, mistreatment, or misunderstanding

• Victim of Bullying: where the individual doesn’t feel safe in their interactions

  
  

• Criticism: hyper vigilant with regards to others’ judgments about you

• Withdrawal: keeping others at arms length as a coping mechanism for trust or rejection issues

  
  

• Low Self-Esteem: belief systems that you are not “likeable” or “are not enough”

  
  

• Fear: worries about others disliking you and the pain of rejection is too much

As humans, we all have our patterns and shortcomings. And we’re all learning how to evolve in our life’s journey. Please know that if you’ve felt the pain of feeling like you don’t belong anywhere that you have the power to overcome it.

The question is: would you rather be stuck in the pain of telling yourself you don’t belong, or would you rather rise above it and soar like an eagle?

Life’s too short to be marinating in our sorrows and suffering. God and the Universe wants you to be joyful as long as you’re here on planet earth.

There comes a time where we all must “accept” the experiences we’ve been through and find other ways that will help us thrive and be happy. Yes, acknowledge your “pain” but don’t dwell on it. You have too much life to live.

You deserve to give yourself a break.

Break free of the shackles of sadness.

Let go of the injustice done to you.

Belonging and feeling connected to others is your birthright.

You’re meant to thrive and be at peace.

Here are a few simple strategies you can try to liberate yourself from feeling like you don’t belong:

1. Volunteer Work: dip feet first into volunteering for an organization you care about (i.e., hospice, retirement home, animal shelter, a church)

   
   

   Benefits: sense of fulfilment by being in service to others, build new friendships

   
   

2. Join a Community: find an online or in-person community that align with your interests (i.e., dance, pottery, personal growth, book club)

   
   

   Benefits: strengthens your self-esteem, creates a support system

   
   

3. Be a Connector: plan your next gathering with friends or loved ones

   
   

   Benefits: cultivates relationships, uplifts your spirits

   
   

4. Journal: write to express your truth about feeling like you don’t belong

   
   

   Benefits: therapeutic, cathartic, calming

5. Faith and Prayer: don’t underestimate the power of prayer. Pray from the heart. As Jesus said,

“Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you”—Matthew 7:7–8

Benefits: deepens your relationship with God, provides “peace” and emotional relief, offers guidance and clarity (aligns your heart with God’s will), promotes healing

6. Affirmations: tell yourself “I am loveable” or “I do belong” or “I am worthy of love”

   
   

   Benefits: increases resilience and self-esteem, reinforces a positive mindset

You have it in you to thrive and live in harmony with yourself and others. Remember, you are a unique individual. You owe it to yourself to feel like you “truly belong.” To feel whole. To feel in unity with others. To feel pure joy.

"He breathed life into you." And this gift of a life well-lived is well worth it!

So, what are you waiting for?

Experiment with one, two, or more of the strategies. Observe how you feel after doing them. If you feel energetic and happy that’s a sure sign that “belonging” was meant for you all along.

You are meant to rise. You are meant for greatness. You are meant to thrive.

Be well. Be harmonious. And watch inner peace come trickling in …

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Yours truly,

Tara Mae Temple, Author of Life Hacks for Healing & Harmony