After the activity is over

Belonging is something you live by, part of your everyday

By Dorothy Birkes

Friends and family

The continuation of empowerment after the activities and the meetings are over, and the doors are closed, is when belonging grows; beyond the activities you connect in, through the relationships formed.

Belonging to me truly represents acceptance. It's also a choice that I belong. I feel like I contribute something. You are either creating or participating in something and when you're able to continue to do that even when you're not in that same atmosphere, it becomes a blessing, because you know that what you're doing is not just one hour a week it's something you would live by. It's part of what you do everyday and you're able to bring it into everything you do. It is the acceptance of wanting to make a difference not only in your own life but in the lives of the people that you come in contact with.

Belonging makes you want to keep that communication open with the likeminded people that you've created friendships with. Thinking about belonging reminds me about what I am a part of. Feeling a sense of belonging is healthy because when you're around like minded people and engaging, things move things forward; good things come for you and for other people.

If everyone connected with someone, and then they connect with someone else, those bonds would multiply, and the impact would grow. This feels like the colours pink and red because pink is bright and beautiful, and red is love.

Story developed by Rishia Burke

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This is part of a series of stories on Belonging.

Do you have a story or thoughts to share about belonging? We would love to connect. You can share that story or leave your contact info in the form and we can document your story for you. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BelongingStories