Belonging

I was watching one of my favorite shows, This is Us, about an underprivileged ballet student who got into a special ballet academy.  She, and the other students being taught, were told "You belong here.  Take up space."

I thought that was a great line.  

The words "take up space" were not meant as if to say just take up space, as in you don't need to do anything.  No, she was instructing the students to be seen, to not be overlooked, to make a difference.

Whatever space you and I have been given in life, we need to fill it uniquely, as only we can. 

It is a good reminder that life is precious, our God-given gifts are meant to be used, and each of us has the capacity to do more than we think.

And telling someone they belong?  Expressing that truth can be motivating as it pushes one past feelings, into greater self-confidence.  Too often it is unspoken, leaving a trail of isolation in its silence.

You do belong.  So do I.  We know this because we were uniquely, carefully, intentionally created by God, our Father.  If you do not feel like you fit in with your peers, relatives or coworkers, remember, you were loved into existence, purposefully made, and nothing will ever change that.

Now go out there and take up space!

Janet Cassidy
janetcassidy.blogspot.com