“True belonging is the spiritual practice of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply that you can share your most authentic self with the world and find sacredness in both being a part of something and standing alone in the wilderness. True belonging doesn’t require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are.”
-Brené Brown, Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone
“I spent 43 years struggling and suffering as I sought the “conditional love” of the American socio-cultural nightmare by trying to “fit in.”
Extreme psychological, behavioral, and spiritual gymnastics only served to damage me and leave me feeling left out and “coming up short.”
10 years ago, I found the spiritual Fellowship of AA, where all they care about is that this person (me) with Bipolar Disorder and Alcoholism is human and seeking recovery. I found my people and I belong. A gift without price and a blessing beyond my wildest imagination.
It is my sincere hope that anyone else suffering on the lonely, excruciating search to “fit in” finds a sense of belonging.
-JM
INSPIRATION AND EMOTIONAL COURAGE: MENTAL ILLNESS, ADDICTION, AND RECOVERY 