The hunger to belong is not merely a desire to be attached to something. It is rather sensing that great transformation and discovery become possible when belonging is sheltered and true.

It is a universal truth that everyone, everywhere has a need to feel belonging. Somewhere that they feel safe and wanted. Somewhere they can run to and find comfort and acceptance for who they really are. This need drives some to extremes, none of which end with the coveted "happily ever after." To belong somewhere is to be somebody.
In the words of Dean Martin, "You're nobody 'till somebody loves you."
I feel like nobody right now.
I know I have a loving family, but they are many thousands of miles away right now. I'm in a quiet place at school surrounded by dozens of people, and I still feel thousands of miles away. Even my best friend is feeling distant these days.
I don't know. I've felt like this often. Making observances about other people's lives unfortunately leads me to realize how much of a full life I'm missing out on. It's not fair. I feel like I don't even have a chance.
I'm definitely not going to say I'm the only one who feels this way or that this feeling is so much worse than everyone else who feels the same way. It's just I get a little frustrated sometimes.
Sitting at a dinner table feeling completely out of place. Walking places and not seeing even one kind, familiar face. Going a whole day only saying an average of two sentences. It's like living in the Twilight Zone. I know...this is the episode where someone gets dropped off on a distant planet just like this one, but he knows no one and no one knows him. That must be it...
It's strange. I'm in a place surrounded by people who share the same interests, the same faith, the same living quarters, the same buildings, the same eating places, the same everything. Yet, I still feel like there's no one I can relate to right now. Like a square in the midst of a bunch of circles. The black dot on a white board. That one neon letter that's always blown out on a store sign. People look at it, notice it's different, then move on and forget it.
Small talk is a great way to get to know someone, but it's also the best way to make someone feel out of place. If you ever see someone who looks a little uncomfortable, don't you dare ask them "how they are" or "how was your day." You will always, ALWAYS get the answers "good" and "fine." Ask them something off the wall. Just whatever comes to mind. Favorite color, vacation memories, favorite subject to study, something other than the mundane.
Because the start of feeling like you belong somewhere begins with that feeling when someone shows natural interest in what you think/believe/feel, etc.
The beginning of belonging is feeling special.

The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction not a destination.

Have you ever had one of those times in your life where you were left saying, "Ok, what's the catch?"
My anxiety is completely controlled, my semester is starting out pretty good, classes seem bearable, my relationship with my best friend is flourishing nicely...what else could go, well...right?
It's kinda scaring me right now though. I'm not sure if this "goodness" is going to last or whether I'm just sitting at the edge with my feet dangling off of the deep end.
I mean, come on. This is MY life we're talking about! Stuff like this just doesn't happen to me. A good day or two, yes, but not like this.
In other words, I'm back after taking a rather lengthy vacation of sorts from the blogging world.
What can I say? Being a college student, one learns to prioritize and passing classes outweighed rambling off to no one. At least that's what I thought before checking my stats today.
Four hundred eighty viewings on one post alone. WHAT? Someone or someones are actually reading my stuff? I have no idea but I'm curious as to how many of them were legitimate people.
Anyway, I really am speaking on my breath of fresh air in my life right now. It's January and 70 degrees outside. Yes, you heard me. It feels oh so much like spring! The refreshing breeze is utterly rejuvenating  and the trees are budding with those pretty pink blossoms. The only thing that's put a damper on my life lately was sleeping in too late one day and being 5 minutes late to the college chapel. I was totally devastated, if you could imagine...
So disappointing...
My Christmas vacation went great. I got a guitar for my birthday and got pretty far into teaching myself. Had a great time with family. My mother only aggravated me few times less than normal.
Like I said, life's pretty good right now. But that doesn't mean I'm cowering in fear waiting for the hammer to fall. Concerned, yes; terrified, not so much.
If you ever had or have one of these times in your lives, don't waste it. Take advantage of it! Whether it last a few days or a few years, if you're suspicious about karma or whatever the whole time, it just ruins it.
Enjoy the little moments of joy you experience when you have them. Flowers will wilt over time, so enjoy them while they are still fresh and beautiful.