The hot topic as we are witnessing history repeat itself based on our choice to neglect the research of the past, I thought it was fitting to ask the 150K genuine subscribers to The Worthwhile Journey a simple question: “Where do we belong?”

I started with talking to myself while listening to Elton John and to be frank, I had to reflect on how I need to belong which has influenced my life. Based on my personality and journey, the only answer I can give is;

“Where I started has zero influence on where I am going.”

What I mean is I am not easily led just to fit in based on my life experiences. I am comfortable where I belong and where I am going.  

Please read below.

What does it mean to “belong”? 

I found the question intruding but necessary as most of us search for convenience until we are either bored with our surroundings or experience something we will not tolerate.

While researching the questions to find a definition, that I could understand, I came across an article written in the National Library Of Medicine.

Sylvia Hurtado and Deborah Faye Carter wrote in 1997 based on the study of Latino students. It read: “The present study aims to examine the relationship between the need to belong and five personal appraisals under two different belongingness conditions: (1) social-emotion support and (2) social-value representation (Hurtado.S and Carter. DF 1997).”

What makes you belong? 

According to my frequently visited reliable source of information Very Well Mind; “A sense of belonging involves more than simply being acquainted with other people. It is centred on gaining acceptance, attention, and support from members of the group as well as providing the same attention to other members.” (Cherry, K April 2023)

I feel like I belong to any environment or surroundings when I am naturally accepted without adapting to fit in. My comfort level starts with a smile.

How are we connected? 

The debatable answer is based on social surroundings, personal interests, and moral ethics. I am connected with individuals capable of having a rational dialogue over a cup of coffee.

It has been published in PsychCentral that:

“Connection is when two or more people interact with each other and each person feels valued, seen, and heard. There’s no judgment, and you feel stronger and nourished after engaging with them (Stiles, 2021) .”

Reflect on something that you are a member of. Who and what determines membership of your group?

European Journalist Association based in Dublin, Berlin and anywhere in Asia.

Who is outside our community? 

The general public and underqualified bloggers.

How are people identified as inside or outside of the group? 

It is a requirement for the members to have published over 300 articles articles. The majority of the members are respected journalists.

What benefits do you have because of belonging to this group? 

Naturally, it is a career choice that propels pitches as a freelance journalist. We all have something in common in various subject matters. More importantly, our conversations normally pertain to work and always end with rational reasoning statements.

There is also the aspect of having a conversation based on facts from reliable sources.  

How do those benefits compare to the value of those outside the group?  

There is nothing worse than having a cuppa and someone interrupting based on speculations. This is when we have to alter our personality to enjoy a small amount of time by being cordial. Then there are the situations when media ethics are appropriate and we have to abide by a code of qualified journalist standards and become entertained.

Adolf Hitler once said: “What good fortune for those in power that people do not think (BibliU, n.d.) .” Oh so very true today.

Message: Do you know it is more important to gather information before transmitting or sharing via social media platforms? It seems whoever is faster and has the better picture of a bowl of rice is taken more seriously.

I would say to you (whomever it may be), do yourself some justice by allowing time to serve its justice and read for yourself. If your references are more fruitful and detailed, then your “likes” are from a qualitative method.

The heuristic experience you are having may be from an unreliable source and you are short-changing your potential forthcoming.

Many thanks for reading.

JFitts

References:

Hurtado S., Carter D.F. Effects of College Transition and Perceptions of the Campus Racial Climate on Latino College Students’ Sense of Belonging. Sociol. Educ. 1997;70:324. doi: 10.2307/2673270. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2673270?origin=crossref

Katherine, Cherry. (2023, April 6). How to increase your sense of belonging. Verywell Mind. https://r.search.yahoo.com/

Stiles, K. (2021, November 15). The importance of connection. Psych Central. https://psychcentral.com/lib/the-importance-of-connection#what-is-it

BibliU. (n.d.). BibliU – Reader. My App. https://bibliu.com/app/?bibliuMagicToken=KHfzeF6bHkc7TTwg06UFEmRTRBsFDZ2t#/view/books/9781260807509/epub/OEBPS/ch08.html#page_61