Belonging: “the understanding that you are an integral part of a community that embraces you for being authentic”
This group gave me a deep knowledge of how to create belonging - When total vulnerability (in this case brought about by intense self-reflection and group reflection) meets love and total acceptance; (this came from the hearts of the people in the group). -Authentic Reflections Participant Self-Esteem/Worth: In order to promote determining our individual contributions to a group or community and observing differences about sense of self from beginning to end of program, participants complete explicit reflection exercises in-line with these goals as part of group-sharing activities. The practice of being not only accepted, but embraced wholly for your beautiful imperfections in a group setting allows for an increase in self-esteem and self-worth, particularly as individuals take further risks and understand they are worthy of the love they are receiving. I felt the greatest sense of belonging at the turning point of feeling most isolated, unseen, and unloved, and being met there by love and support from the group. I was affirmed and held with open acceptance for my choices and my truth. -Authentic Reflections Participant Self-Expression: Many of the activities are centered around improving self-expression, such as through sharing narratives of past, present, and future, as well as, deeper truths, conflicting aspects of identity, and areas of identity involving insecurities. Improving self-expression is achieved through the support of emotional risks, sharing, and having all participants actively participate in activities and discussions. One thing stands out in my memory specifically about the group development. While we were forming a community everyone felt seen, and was able to grow personally because of the group. While we all focusing our energy on the group, the individual was not dissolved in the process. On the contrary, we grew on a personal level, each in their own way, because we grew as a group, something I had never expected. -Authentic Reflections Participant Find out more about programs here: http://chrysalisfacilitation.weebly.com/programs.html
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For as long as I can remember I have coasted past people and places that might have held me Or let me grow In favour of following an internal compass That pointed towards opportunities waiting to be gathered. As I kept moving away My anchor lost its tethering from lack of use, And I feared drifting alone forever. So, I made rafts out of driftwood And welcomed other wary voyagers aboard. As I wrapped them in my skin to shelter them from the wet and cold, They shared their stories of time at sea Easily. I equated staying afloat to helping others, Constantly keeping quiet about how the wind bit at my bones For fear that the heaviness of my burdens Would exceed the capacity of their rickety lifeboats. -- --
An iceberg in my path caused me to Question my course. As I unveiled holes in my craft, I realized I could let the gaze and warmth of others in. They provided a haven for skeleton-me. By lending me their clothes, Until I stepped back into the skin I almost forgot I carried around my waist And finally felt the itch of isolation I had attempted to ignore. I am a hybrid, The Only One Of My Kind on Noah’s Ark, But the more I look the more I realize… Everyone is a black sheep in a flock Of seagulls. But that doesn’t mean we cannot be embraced. I want to use my cold hands And warm heart To build-up the icebergs that are melting, For swimmers To have a place to rest amongst The fellowship of other creatures Also looking for a space to dock their feet, paws, or fins. We are not alone in our search for togetherness And we do not need to tread in loneliness while lost in the currents Of our solo journeys. -Vrindy Spencer April 2016, Keystone: Belonging Within Community |
AuthorVrindy Spencer is constantly seeking inspiration on topics of personal and human development, leadership, community, connection, and intimacy (with self and others). Archives
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