Find your people

Find Your People
"In a world of strangers, you don't know who to trust. All you see is danger, try to find what you lost. You can't go it alone, everybody needs help. You got to find your people, then you'll find yourself." (Lyrics from: Find Your People by Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors)
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​Stranger Danger
It is so very scary to look around (the neighborhood, city, or country) and feel "different" and not aligned with others. When everyone feels like a stranger, our nervous system tells us we are in

danger. And when we feel in danger we work to protect ourselves - sometimes we literally hide from the world and other times we make up "rules of engagement" for relationships. Rules such as setting limits in our conversation topics tricks our nervous systems into feeling safer. However, when we set limits with rules or hiding out our bodies continue to be in a state of fear. When we are in a state of fear we also limit our energy and joy for life. 

Find "Safe" People
It can feel overwhelming to try and align with people who have differing opinions, such as in the "Just Like Me" 11/13/24 post. So perhaps we should start smaller! One step towards reconnecting is to find allies in this world that align with your values. For example, imagine that you are employed with a company and you do not like or respect the owner. If you stay hyper-focused on that person you may feel full of fear, frustration, and disappointment. An alternative mindset is to start by looking around at the managers, co-workers, and even customers. When you look at everyone, you have the opportunity to consider, is there someone that I look up to, respect, and trust? The answer is yes, you just need to expand your view large enough to find them. There are many people like you in this world, people that align with your values and beliefs. So look beyond the "top" person and shine a light on all those around you to find "safe" people. Because when we have a sense of aligning with others we can increase our sense of safety and camaraderie. When we feel safe and connected we return to feeling full of love, hope, and joy. 

Let's all get back to choosing love, not fear. Find your people and you find yourself!