One day I had lunch with an old friend, and we were catching up with everything our young adult “children” were doing.  We had been close when our children were babies, but hadn’t stayed in contact as the kids grew older (we all know how that goes — life just gets busy.)  But that day, […]

Is fitting in the same as belonging?  It might be interesting to “unpack that bag” and see what we find.  I’ve quoted Brene’ Brown several times during this series, but she is the expert in the field, and no conversation about belonging is complete without her valuable research data.  Today, all quotes are from her […]

As we look around and search for our place of belonging, the world can be a very confusing place.  How can we find a place to belong when people are so divided?  Do I have to be “all in” to fit in?  Is conformity the only way?  Everything seems very sorted out.  Black and white.  […]

My grandson loves an app called Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.  Do you recall that name?  It’s a spin-off from Mister Roger’s Neighborhood (1968-2001) hosted by the endearing Fred Rogers.  Funny – his Mama LOVED Mr. Rogers when she was a little girl.  Even when I thought there were more entertaining, animated TV shows to watch, she […]

I read recently about a woman who was raised in Houston, and knew that city like the back of her hand.  A job promotion moved her family to Dallas, and with a trusty GPS, she traveled around her new city with no problems.  However, after 2 years, she still didn’t really know Dallas — she […]

During this two day hiatus from the Write 31 Days challenge, I’d like to share two books that are valuable resources if your place of belonging has actually changed to a new location on the map.  These pages offer wonderful insight during times of transition.  Both of these books will help anyone move ahead in a […]

On this 14th day of the Write 31 Day challenge, I am sharing a quote from Margery Williams Bianco’s book.  It is a wonderful reminder that it is always easier to be real, vulnerable, and risk takers when we know we are loved. “REAL isn’t how you are made,’ said the Skin Horse. ‘It’s a […]

When I was a sophomore in high school, a boy decided a good nick-name for me would be Tank.  That’s right, Tank.  Just what every 15 year-old girl wants to be called.  I’ve never told another living soul that until now.  I use to hide from him at school.  If I saw him in the […]

I’m working on being brave.  I’m working on my courage.  I want to be a superhero. My granddaughter is one of my superheroes.  She can see the kids on the fringe.  She is sensitive like that.  She knows when girls aren’t fitting in.  About a month ago, a new girl showed up at her youth group.  […]

You don’t have to search long to find a discussion about the differences between introverts and extroverts.  It’s a popular theme of many blog posts and articles.  Even Facebook has joined the debate, and you can play a short game to know definitively whether you like to be with people or not.  Like we need […]

I woke up in the middle of the night thinking about this blog post.  And to be honest, I thought the best thing to do was to just delete the series and pretend it never happened.  I don’t want to play anymore. I can’t solve deep issues like “being enough” here on this silly blog.  […]

I am finally typing.  I’ve been resisting all morning.  Finding so many ways to procrastinate.  Facebook.  Online shopping.  Email.  What else can I find to do before I hit the keys?  This is a hard topic.  Do you belong?  Do I belong?  And if not, why not?  To look deeply into this issue can be […]

The table was cluttered with scraps of colorful fabric and long lengths of ribbon.  Thread clung to my shirt and littered the floor.  I am a messy seamstress.   In the corner, on top of an old, creaky ironing board, a steaming iron hissed, ready to press the seams of my newest creation.  The ironing board […]

On Day 2 of this 31 day writing challenge, the title of my post was, This is NOT Where I Belong.  Ever since that post, I can’t get this song out of my head.  Today I am going to put the song with lyrics right here for your enjoyment. Click here for previous post. God […]

Recently a new friend, a mentor actually, confidently said, “I have a deep need to belong”. My first thought was, ‘Wow, did she just say that out loud?’ I, too, have always had a deep need to belong, but I thought something was wrong with me.  Like I was insecure or just too needy.  So […]

So here we are, real characters in this ‘grand epic’, this amazing story of God’s.  Do you ever feel like you didn’t get here during the prologue?  Like you’ve arrived in chapter 2?  It appears that everyone, but you, already has a role.  Everyone knows exactly what’s going on, but you can’t find your lines?  […]

When I am looking for a good summer book to read, I like to find a nice long novel.  I want to hold the actual book in my hand, and I want it to be thick with pages.  When I turn the book over to read the back cover, I want the description to say, […]

Adam and Eve were placed into the Garden of Eden.  It was where they belonged.  One wrong decision changed their lives, and set them on a different course.  I left off in yesterday’s post questioning if they could ever find complete peace and contentment after they had been banished from their home.  I think a […]