The desire to belong is a fundamental need for humans. People want to belong to family, friends, and community. When rejected from any of these groups people can feel worthless and shattered. People who belong often have similar characteristics, interests, values, lifestyles, and cultures. Belongingness based only on similarities is not authentic.
Authentic belongingness ought to have a heart that also accepts that which is different and unique in people. Individuals have shared characteristics of family, faith, and culture yet they are not exact copies. Individuals are unique and have the potential to offer something new to the world. Therefore, family, faith, and community need to create a culture that celebrates and embraces uniqueness.[1]
Families and groups that are closed to individual uniqueness become stagnant and corrupt; they create an atmosphere of rejection, division, and hostility. True belongingness invites us as individuals and communities to love and promote that which is different and unique in others. For humans to flourish, true belongingness needs to have both lungs — similarity and uniqueness — healthy and functioning.
Can we create space in our hearts and communities to welcome and embrace individuals along with their uniqueness?
Thanks Baptist 🙏🏽
ReplyDeleteMeaningful article.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful article thank you. Yc
ReplyDeleteThank you, authenticity closeness. Enjoyed easy reading.
ReplyDeleteVery true
ReplyDelete