Courage to Belong

Who knew I would need so much courage taking Alyssa to Playland today? What is so scary about a bunch of inflatable plastic things? Nothing. It's all the people around the inflatable plastic things that are frightening! Fellow mothers, potential friends. And it all comes down to my courage. Will I be brave enough to put myself out there?

Moving always brings opportunities for growth. It's pretty much inevitable. My move from Delaware to Mississippi is no exception - even though it is the seventh time I have moved since marrying my man. It is a growing experience for me to shop at a grocer other than Aldi. My running abilities are growing as I tackle hills, hills, hills! So many hills! Delaware, on how you were flat! My language recognition sensors in my brain are growing as I been fixin' to learn how they y'all speak down here in the S'uthern 'Nited States.

But seriously, the biggest and hardest growth for me with all of my moves is having the courage to belong. It is deciding to open my mouth and say "Hey y'all!" instead of standing around with my arms folded, avoiding eye contact. It is realizing that being uncomfortable is the only way to be comfortable again. It takes courage and faith! I pray each day for help! I know I can't do it alone!

My uncomfortableness and awkwardness makes me grateful for what I do belong to and all I have belonged to! I am blessed to be not completely unbelonging here. I have my family near and far and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They will always be constant. They will push up against my back to support me when I feel like I want to turn around and run.

Being uncomfortable reminds us how important it is to make other people comfortable in places that we already belong. When we wish someone would turn to us and say, "Hi, my name is Eugene Herbert Fitzgerald, what's your name?" we decide that next time we see a newbie, we will be the one to extend the hand of fellowship. We must remember not to leave the new one behind because we are already happy and content. By taking some of the awkwardness upon ourselves, as the one who belongs, we relieve their anxiety an awkwardness. We bolster courage and increase in love.

It is hard to be brave and have courage to belong, but it is much better than to live in the misery of loneliness. Here's to courage! Huzzah!