Belonging Oh Belonging, where art thou Belonging

In our pursuit of fitness, health, and wellness, let’s not forget the importance of belonging. The community we build cultivates a sense of belonging. Cornell describes belonging as “ the feeling of security and support when there is a sense of acceptance, inclusion, and identity for a member of a certain group. It is when an individual can bring their authentic self to work.” WOW! It is up to us to create spaces and relationships that help us harness that sentiment. We can switch out work for other groups like the gym, an adult sand volleyball team, find your passion and you will find you belong. With a sense of belonging, we can be our authentic selves, better yet, we can become more empowered for ourselves and others in our group.

It's important to note it is okay to have difference circles with each serving a different purpose. One might have a group where fitness is discussed and an entirely different group for our business or career. Regardless of the group, however, the most important things is to always act with integrity in these spaces.

I recently went on a hot girl walk with one of my friends. She was telling me about a message she recently heard centered around acting with more integrity in all our circles. The analogy was to think of your self as a pie (I like to think of myself more as a peach cobbler paired perfectly with some vanilla ice-cream, Mexican vanilla from Amy's specifically), then think of your circles. The goal is to be your type of pie where ever you go. Regardless of the circle I am in, I should always be peach cobbler. I am peach cobbler! See, I can't be apple pie just to fit in. Regardless of the circle I'm in, I will always be peach cobbler, if I had to be apple pie, that's not belonging, it's fitting in. If I just try to fit in, I will always have to hide parts of myself. Belonging and community say, "Come as you are!" and that is huge for our health and wellbeing

We can be as fit as we want but if we don’t take care of the other parts that make us whole, we’re not healthy. So, I vow to be a peach cobbler every where I go. I don’t need others to be peach cobblers, I need them to be who they are in all their beauty. In embracing community, we get to truly know each other. We get to hold each other accountable. We create space to be seen, valued, and heard. We get to be appreciated for who we are, flaws and all.

Question of the day: If you were a pie, which would you be?

Sources:

https://diversity.cornell.edu/belonging/sense-belonging#:~:text=Belonging%20is%20the%20feeling%20of,their%20authentic%20self%20to%20work.