Sometimes we find ourselves in situations where we don’t feel good and can’t quite explain why. Highly sensitive people, like myself, absorb the energy around them and can sense the invisible spirit of discord almost instantly. When we’re caught off guard—or not in tune with our own self-worth—we may mistake negative energy, or subtle acts of exclusion, for something wrong within us. We start second-guessing our character and identity, wondering what we did wrong to not feel welcomed or recognized. The feeling of belonging happens when you are surrounded by people who recognize and value your beauty. Feeling a sense of belonging is essential to your well-being. We move closer to our best selves when we align our energy with others who appreciate who we are and what we have to offer. For individuals who

“The mind is always seeking zones of safety, and these zones of safety are continuously falling apart. The opposite is when all the walls fall down, the cocoon disappears and we are totally open to whatever happens. That’s what stirs us and inspires us: leaping, being thrown out of the nest, going through the initiation, growing up, stepping into something that’s uncertain and unknown.” Pema Chödrön, The Wisdom of No Escape I’ve been living in a cabin in Woodstock, New York this summer. Here in the forest, it’s been raining nonstop with frequent thunderstorms. There are swarms of gnats, mosquitos, ticks and bees. We have one black bear who forages our garbage at night. Also, two deer and their fawns, one rabbit and a hare. Some days, the humidity exasperates me. I sit on the

The curious part about going to church when I was younger was when the priest told us to turn to our neighbor and greet them. Sometimes, I’d feel shy if I was standing around a bunch of strangers, but afterwards, I always felt a stronger sense of community. Making eye contact, smiling, and touching a stranger’s hand can feel intimidating but from time to time, I’d notice how others around me would help me relax by making the first move. This, I appreciated tremendously. It was a gift on their part, an offering. They were telling me, It’s okay, I’m safe. In this moment, we are family. Many of us, across the globe, have experienced loss, displacement and other types of radical change. This upheaval can separate us from this safe feeling of being at