You Belong

As a culture we are alienated from the group.In the primal experience, belonging was guaranteed.  We belonged to the clan or the tribe.  Unless we were shunned for violating taboos, we were automatically included.  There was no question.  In my vocabulary, this meant self-worth was insured.To me, self-worth means belonging.  In my concept of the world, we are born with self-worth, and our value as a human being is exactly as worthy as everyone else.  We belong.In contrast, I define self-esteem as the feeling we get when we create or do something we are proud of.  As human beings, we esteem people who make a contribution, and this is a different issue than worth.  We all have the same value, but sometimes we make contributions that are valuable, which in turn makes us feel worthy of esteem.How often do you recognize your value as being equal to everyone else’s?  How often do you feel like you belong?When you enter into a group of people, do you feel like you belong?  If your value is the same as everyone else’s, then you automatically belong.  This sense of self-worth is within your grasp. You have the opportunity to experience that you belong everywhere by simply discovering who you really are.This is the power of Sanctuary and the Mountain Experience.  Many of you discovered your self-worth there.  You found yourself to be just as worthy as everyone else, and this created a huge sense of belonging.Most of us don’t feel self-worth, at least not everywhere.  It is your birthright.  It is yours to reclaim, and it’s very simple.  All you have to do is see yourself as I see you, a perfect, beautiful mystery waiting to be seen with wonder.To see how this would feel, you can practice.  Next time you go into a gathering of humans where you wonder if you have worth, simply decide that you belong—totally belong.  Open your heart and recognize the value in every person there.  Now behave as if you belong and have value, that people are happy to include you, that they are glad you are there, that they want to talk to you.  Be interested in their value, and you will be amazed about the difference in the response.Welcome to the planet, have fun; you belong here among us!