Do you just fit in, or do you truly belong?

If you are anything like me, you have probably spent a lot of time in your life trying to fit in; at school, at work, in friend groups, in your neighborhood, maybe even in your family. 

When we try to fit in, we change ourselves to conform to the expectations of a group.  We might start dressing a certain way or speaking a certain way.

We might participate in activities that we don't really enjoy.  We might start agreeing with the politics or opinions of the group, even if they aren't really in line with our own.  But fitting in is not belonging.

We try to fit in because we have a strong desire to belong. What we don't realize is that we don't truly belong unless we can show up as our true, authentic selves and be loved and fully included. In fact, when we belong, our beloveds know us well enough to point out when we are bending ourselves out of shape to fit in with others. 

It may be counterintuitive, but the only way to find the people with whom we truly belong is to let the world see us as the unique, weird, amazing people that we are. 

It is scary, but I believe that when we live with integrity and have the courage to live fully into our own truth, we will find others who not only appreciate us but love us and rejoice in our uniqueness.  

Warmly, Bridget Laflin