Elvenia Gray-Sandiford
As humans, we yearn for a sense of belonging and connection with others, a feeling that goes beyond what we can achieve on our own. We question whether we are too fiercely independent or overly dependent on others. But what if there’s another way to live and feel connected?
In today’s world, where we often focus on doing things by ourselves and being self-reliant, many of us feel a deep desire for something more. We find ourselves yearning for something deeper: a sense of belonging and connection that transcends the barriers of modern life. We stand at a crossroads, questioning the pillars of our early socialization, where independence and codependency seem to be the only options. But what if there’s a different way? What if we can rewrite the narrative of separation and loneliness that plagues many corners of our world?
These questions were brought to light by a dear friend who asked me “Where do you go to rest your weary heart? Who do you turn to when you need support?” It’s a profound inquiry that made me think about the idea of community: a village to offer comfort and connection when we need it most.
We are all part of a complex network of relationships, each of us playing a role in the dance of life. But how do we rediscover this deep inter-connectedness we seek and make it a part of who we are? The journey begins with realizing that community and connection go beyond what we see on the surface.
As we embark on this New Year, what if we undertook a quest to deepen our sense of belonging? We could explore the essential ingredients that have the potential to reshape our perspectives on how we connect with ourselves, others, and the world around us. This journey encourages us to reconsider our approach to significant life challenges, including relationships, well-being, and belonging.
In this exploration, we might uncover the shared feelings of disconnection and isolation that impede our growth and creative potential. We might realize that the power to respond to calls for change doesn’t reside solely within us but in the collective spirit of the community, and discover a sense of inter-connectedness.
This journey asks us to embrace the concept of ownership as we acknowledge the responsibility we bear for the worlds we contribute to creating, transcending our thinking and knowledge, encompassing stories, imagination, and diverse experiences. This beckons us to collectively shoulder the responsibility for change.
As we venture through this transformative expedition, let us liberate ourselves from fixed perceptions about who we are and the people around us. Embracing a realm characterized by curiosity, uncertainty, questioning, and innovation, we unearth forgotten memories and dreams, understanding the profound influence of various factors on our lives. The realization dawns that clutching too tightly to the familiar can hinder our authentic understanding of the world. This serves as an open invitation to rediscover our inter-connectedness with the world, each other, and, most importantly, with ourselves.
