GAINING A SENSE OF BELONGING

Gaining a Sense of Belonging 

Susan Barnes

“It is not good for the man to be alone.” Genesis 2:18 NLT

Today there are many ways to connect with people through social media, but this doesn’t mean we experience a sense of belonging. 

Belonging only happens if we are intentional about spending quality time with others.

We have moved often, and I’ve found it’s easier to connect with others in smaller communities. 

This is because you meet people at one event and then you see them again at another. 

However, regardless of where you live, connections must be pursued.

The first time my husband and I moved to a small country town, we made the decision to go to every event we were invited to. 

We went to flower shows, fetes, and amateur productions. 

We also did more than attend church, we made the decision to get involved. 

That was over 30 years ago, and we have moved many times since. 

Yet we are still friends with people we met from that very first town.

Inadvertently, when we meet new people, we can give them the wrong message. 

If we arrive late at events and leave early, it sends a message that we don’t really want to be involved. 

If we attend church or any regular activity on an erratic basis, it also sends an, “I’m not really interested in belonging” message.

It takes time and effort to develop a sense of belonging, and whenever I move to a new community, I expect it will take at least two years. 

Yet it’s worth the effort required to feel a part of a community, no matter how big or small that community is, because it’s not good for people to be alone.

Susan Barnes - pursuing a life worth writing about. Contact