We all belong somewhere. Be it a neighborhood, town, city, or what have you. That is our identity. Interestingly, people relocate due to employment opportunity or other reasons. Some carry their identity with them while others transplant like a chameleon.
Whichever “community” I belong to (and I use the term in the broadest sense), I engage and contribute. Because as an INTJ, I derive meaning in relationship from purpose. A common purpose bonds me and the community whether it’s work, home, or social affiliation.
Not contributing, to me, would equate no purpose, and I would resign. Groucho Marx said, “I don’t care to belong to any club that will have me as a member”. I would say, “I don’t care to belong to any club that does not have me as a contributor”.
When applied on a personal level, some may view my definition of belonging too practical. Does it have to be a purpose, they ask? Couldn’t it be simply co-existing, in time or place? For me, it does. Otherwise, it is just a label without meaning.
Where (or what/ whom) do you see yourself belong?
Running with Buddha 