A Year of Sundays: The Tenth Sunday (3/9/25)

This week was a whirlwind of emotional and personal overload. There were moments when I felt so overwhelmed that I questioned whether I truly belonged here—or if there was a parallel universe where I might feel more at ease. In those moments, I felt deeply grateful for the coping skills I’ve cultivated over the years. They became my anchor, helping me navigate the storm and find my footing again.

As I reflected on these feelings of displacement, I was reminded of the importance of self-awareness and empathy—not just for others, but for ourselves. In Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands, Terri Morrison and Wayne A. Conaway (2006) emphasize the importance of understanding ourselves as we interact with different cultures. They write, “To truly connect with others, we must first understand our own values, biases, and perspectives” (p. 23). This idea resonated with me deeply. Perhaps the discomfort I felt this week was an invitation to explore my inner landscape, to better understand where I fit in this vast, interconnected world.

The concept of connectivity was further reinforced as I revisited It’s All Relative by A.J. Jacobs. Jacobs (2017) makes a compelling case for the idea of a “world family tree,” highlighting how we are all connected in ways we often overlook. This notion of interconnectedness aligns with Carl Jung’s theory of the collective unconscious—the idea that we share a reservoir of experiences and archetypes that transcend individual boundaries (Jung, 1968). In moments of doubt or isolation, remembering this shared human experience can be profoundly comforting.

This week, I’ve come to see that belonging isn’t about finding a perfect place or a parallel universe where everything feels easy. It’s about cultivating a sense of connection—to ourselves, to others, and to the collective consciousness that binds us all. It’s about embracing the messy, beautiful complexity of being human.

So, as we move forward, let’s remember that we are part of something much larger than ourselves. Let’s nurture our self-awareness, extend empathy to ourselves and others, and celebrate the connections that remind us we are never truly alone.

Here’s to finding belonging—right here, right now.

References

Jacobs, A. J. (2017). It’s all relative: Adventures up and down the world’s family tree. Simon & Schuster.

Jung, C. G. (1968). The archetypes and the collective unconscious (2nd ed.). Princeton University Press.

Morrison, T., & Conaway, W. A. (2006). Kiss, bow, or shake hands: The bestselling guide to doing business in more than 60 countries. Adams Media.