"We can't heal in isolation."

In community we can heal parts of us that we cannot heal alone. Yet, some of us are terrified to walk into a yoga class, let alone open your heart to a room full of strangers. But, we are wired for connection, so how are we surviving? Ot maybe we are surviving, but not thriving? 

How many of these can you relate to?
"I don't need anyone." "I'm just fine thanks." "I'm afraid I will get hurt." "I am afraid I won't be able to relate to others." "I don't trust other women." "I just like being alone." 

Those of us that have encountered hurtful experiences or are sensitive to social gatherings might think of community as a place of fear or exhaustion. I have never felt like I belonged- anywhere. (Until I joined my healing tribe.) I always felt different and weird. And when I reflect of all the versions of myself I just see a lot of frozen sadness, as I felt like I needed to protect myself which made me appear stand-offish or not engaged.

I have had this yearning to belong since I can consciously remember. I have no culture to belong to or ancestors that I know much about. I believe we all want to belong. From a very young age we are taught in school to do the same thing everyone else is doing. And if we don't fit we know it is uncomfortable. (And oh how we stray away from all things uncomfortable.) So we mold and shape until it feels okay. This is where this starts, where we send parts of us to the island of "disconnect". In order to fit in, we have to shape shift the parts of us that don't. Even thought those parts could be really freaking awesome, we leave them out on the island until we become adults. We start asking questions...who am I? Who is my authentic self? When did I change this part of me? The REAL me is always here underneath it all. My big soul hasn't ever left. it just took some time for me to find her again.