Paul's Corner

Sunday, 15 June

thought 2nd June

To Belong
is this defining?
to whom we belong
to what we belong

if we feel we do not belong
do we feel less than we are
are we abandoned
belongless?

if you take the idea of belong
and lengthen it
we get belonging
just look at it
be - longing
to be longing, for what?
for something

to be-long is a want word
to want is to not have
there fore
you can never truly
be-long anywhere
(other than the wanting to)
to do so negates the wanting

to say I belong here is a powerful statement
often it is misconstrued
I belong here means I feel safe here
and I am going to stay safe
and hide from what I am and what I could be

sometimes belonging is entrapment
you trap yourself by the needs of others to belong to you
and them to what they
represent to you

I shall re-present to those (I have) to be a part of

I do not feel I belong anywhere
with the exception at home with my wife and children
it is not so much that that is where I belong
but that is who I am

There by a state of searching of or where
one belongs
is acompanied by a state of not knowing what defines ones self
and defining ones self does not lead to a state of belonging
but a state of being

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Comments

And there is great joy in belonging
And great great comfort in home and family
But is it possible to have it all
Is it possible to belong where one decides to be
Is it possible to have great joy and great comfort and still stretch out beyond perceived abilities
Is it possible there's a light in you boy

Posted by: Dennis on June 15, 2003 10:15 AMfrom IP: 68.85.157.216

Hi, Paul, and Dennis,
This has to be the soonest I've ever made it to a thread,lol!
I think we can belong to something/someone,
be part of it and still be ourselves.
I think both longings, to belong, and to be apart are
very human and allow us the
comfort and safety we need as well as the courage
and strength to step away from
the safety sometimes.
Like toddlers wandering back to touch base
with parents now and then,
reassured,
taking another step out into the ever-widening world.

Are you saying, Paul, that the very act of trying to belong,
being accompanied by a state of not knowing oneself,
negates the search itself?

Posted by: deltalady on June 15, 2003 10:59 AMfrom IP: 66.231.3.14

No, I dont really know what I am saying other than the act of wanting to belong negates the ability to belong. The search is in fact the important thing because that is what may lead us to discovering our self. The wanting is but fuel to the search but not an ending, not a place to come to - the wanting belongs to a past.

Posted by: Paul on June 15, 2003 11:12 AMfrom IP: 207.230.224.200

Paul, the first part of that first sentence is the first thing I completely agree with you on tonight. you have a lot of very thoughtful things to say. And a lot of metaphysical crap. My perception is that you are trying to come to grips with wht your life and your career IS. And it makes me want to smack you, hard.

Posted by: Dennis on June 15, 2003 11:23 AMfrom IP: 68.85.157.216

Ok, so much for sleep just yet . . .
The wanting to belong is part of the process
of learning who we are, and maybe once we know that,
we do belong.

Posted by: deltalady on June 15, 2003 11:35 AMfrom IP: 66.231.3.14

Dennis step back a touch. You dont have to agree with me but I dont think you need to smack me hard. That suggests either you think I am wingeing or not grateful for what I have - for the record I am very grateful for what I have, for the past, present and future.

Wingeing sure! You are new here and on occassion new people get cross with my exploration of myself. It is my journey I am sharing here. I am most fortunate that part of this sharing often provides fantastic insight into my journey and those of the people that contribute here and share their journeys.

Smacking me hard I guess provides some insight into you but doesnt do too much for me!

Yes you are right I am working at coming to grips with life - that is the point of living - isnt it?

Posted by: Paul on June 16, 2003 02:50 AMfrom IP: 207.230.224.203

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