Much of my thinking lately has been about belonging as fundamental need in human beings. We need it like we need air, water, food. No doubt, there is need for differentiation also. But there remains longing for belonging. Belonging amidst differentiation is a home run.
From my files which I perused this morning, below is a piece on longing sent to me by a friend. It’s attribution is Starhawk. Though I don’t know Starhawk, I’m appreciative of these words.
We are all longing to go home to some place we have never been — a place half-remembered and half-envisioned we can only catch glimpse of form time to time. Community. Somewhere, there are people to whom we can speak with passion without having the words catch in our throats. Somewhere a circle of hands will open to receive us, eyes will light up as we enter, voices will celebrate with us whenever we come into our own power. Community means strength that joins our strength to do the work that needs to be done. Arms to hold us when we falter. A circle of healing. A circle of friends. Someplace where we can be free.
