She flew into the circle as if she belonged.  And she did.

I’m working on that concept as, more and more, I realize that belonging is as much up to me as to others.  Maybe they, too, long to belong.

I have a long ago memory of going to a conference with a woman who walked up to a group of strangers and simply joined in.  They welcomed her.  I admired her at the time, knowing that wasn’t something I could ever do.

But now I’m trying my wings a little.  I’m walking into the group, expressing my thoughts instead of hanging back, acting as if I belong.  And I’m finding that, for the most part, there are others much like me – others who hold back, wait to be invited, hope to be included.  I’ve held back most of my life, feeling like I was on the outside looking in, wanting to be connected.

Maybe the best way is to fly in as if I belong, and find that I do.

Donna Bearden on January 13th, 2013 | File Under Donna Bearden | 5 Comments -