My definition of belonging is: “The perception you are an integral part of a community that embraces you for being authentic” Belonging, which means being accepted for you, differs from fitting in, which means being accepted for being like everyone else. Fitting in requires assessing a situation and changing in order to be accepted. Belonging does not require us to change who we are; “it requires us to be who we are.” -Brene Brown*
Belonging does not fall within a dichotomy, rather the more connected with yourself and others that you feel through various means, the more of a sense of belonging you may have.
0 Comments
The best concrete definition of community I have found is: "a group of individuals who have learned how to communicate honestly with each other, whose relationships go deeper than their masks of composure, and who have developed some significant commitment to delight in each other, make others conditions their own, rejoice together, mourn together, labor and suffer together, always having before their eyes the community as members of the same body" –Scott Peck* The concept of community I utilize describes a community more complex than a group of individuals who share a commonality. This type of community fulfills our longing to be our authentic and whole selves. Community is both a noun and a process, where a state of “genuine community” is possible, but rare.
A sense of community is a feeling that members have of belonging, that they matter to one another and to the group, and that their needs will be met through their commitment to be together. This type of community cannot be organized or planned out. Although it is possible to prompt, it must occur organically. The idea of genuine community does not rely on commonalties, but instead on the ability of a group to express its diversity. Expression and acceptance are key. *See Resources for further information and on Scott Peck and his work on community |
AuthorVrindy Spencer is constantly seeking inspiration on topics of personal and human development, leadership, community, connection, and intimacy (with self and others). Archives
April 2017
Categories
All
|