Belonging isn’t something we wait for; it’s something we create through our actions and choices. We don’t need special resources to start—only a willingness to bridge divides and invite others into a circle of shared humanity. Belonging is about saving our very humanity. When one of us is held back, we all are. When one of us is unheard, none of us fully belong. This is what ubuntu, or “I am because we are,” teaches us: belonging is reciprocal and necessary for our collective well-being. To make a difference, let’s meet each other openly, listen sincerely, and work together. Radical belonging starts here, with each encounter, each moment of sincere listening. Let’s do the work and build a true foundation of shared humanity.
May we go forth in the spirit of belonging,
nurturing each other’s humanity and building
a shared foundation of peace.
(inspired by Ben McBride, Troubling the Water)