Gah! I’m crying. You are a beautiful human Brad and what a wonderful boomerang moment. Also I’m laughing. “Adults are just kids with meeting” - and bills and to do lists! I would also say, without meaning to offend, that KPI and ROI and CEO are very boring things and quite unimpressive - whereas being a human called Brad Montague is impressive. Loved this. Thank you 💛
Well not I'M the one yet again crying (and laughing). You're the real deal, Emily. Thank YOU for these generous words and your kind heart. You're a creative force for good! And... yes... I am just a kid with a calendar app doing my best.
For years I never felt like I belonged. Classmates would look at me as weird and I would often sit with the unpopular kids.
After a while I began to believe I was weird. By the time I was fifteen I thought I’d found out why. I’d get very attentive when a good looking guy would be in my immediate area.
That was a battle I fought for years. I didn’t think I belonged to myself much less any group of people.
I finally came to terms with it when I met and became close friends with someone who convinced me to finally open up to myself. Now I enjoy my own company and have friends who accept me for who I am.
Thomas! Thank you. What you've walked through and where you've arrived is powerful. Encouraged by your courage. Inspired by your reminder that belonging isn't about fitting in, but being known. And you are. I'm so happy to know you've found people who see and welcome you as you as you.
I was just thinking about belonging today! My work made it possible to volunteer at a food pantry, taking clients through and letting them choose items off the shelf. Volunteers basically monitor that they are taking allotted amounts. I found that people would take what they needed and sometimes not even take what they were allowed if they thought they wouldn't use it. They would make comments about things they liked or what they had gotten before. I could give feedback, too, or suggest things. And I thought, hey, these people just want to know they belong. They just want to be heard.
I work with the public. It's often draining. I try to remember that people want to be seen, be heard, and be remembered, by name if possible! It's such a simple thing. 💚 It's so important.
Thank you for reminding me that I belong. I love every post!
Thank you, Jennifer, for this beautiful glimpse into the quiet, vital work you're doing. "They just want to be heard." Yes. yes. Yes. Belonging so often starts right there with listening, noticing, and remembering. Inspired and encouraged by your presence. It matters more than we can ever measure. You belong. I see you.
But, you're right; it's a universal feeling of not belonging. May you always realize your belonging and continue to share your messages of hope and love!
ERICA! Well now YOU'RE the cool one for saying this. Ha. Thank you. Super grateful to be walking this road together, sharing reminders as we go. You are, yet again, right... the feeling of not belonging runds deep for so many. You're not alone and you belong! Here's to realizing and remembering and helping everyone around us do the same!
How beautiful!!! It's very interesting how the world works. Yesterday I responded to a writing prompt in a writing group that I am a part of. I wrote about the painful feeling on not feeling the sense of belonging as a younger version of myself. And today...I am reminded of how that feeling is far reaching and impacts each of us at different times and in different ways. Your most beautiful message of remembering that we can create and share the space of belonging with others as we go about our lives feels so inspiring. Each one of us belongs! Thank you!
Becky, thank you. I’ve noticed a theme in the lives of some of the kindest, most belonging building people I’ve met… it seems they all know the feeling of being left out. As if they’ve decided to dedicate their lives to ensuring no person ever feels the same things they have. Belonging is a thing we build for each other, with each other. Really really really grateful there’s someone like you working to help build it too.
Brad-- THANK YOU for ALWAYS sharing your soul -- and thus the truth!! I am in awe of how your truth hits me exactly when I need it! May we all have more connection and Boomerang moments! And may we be aware enough to see what a TRUE GIFT of humanity they are! 💜
Oh, wow. This is so beautiful. I've had a boomerang like this recently, when a friend I had helped during one of my stronger moments in my distant past was there for me with some of the same words and resources when I needed that strength. It was like this beautiful gift from Past Me that's been able to travel and grow, until it was time to return. But I also love knowing it wasn't even from just Me - that these gifts are always circulating among us. The more we share them, the more likely they are to circle back around. Thank you so much for sharing this goosebumps moment.
A gift from Past You! That's a stunning way to describe it. Carried by the current of community until it knew where to land next. Thank you so much for sharing this and reminding me it's not just our strength we're passing along, but part of something much bigger, always in motion, always returning in some new, needed form. Thank you!
I'm so glad Emily Charlotte Powell shared this because, otherwise, I might have missed it. Truly made my day - like a warm hug. Thank you for doing what you do, and for sharing it here.
I'm so glad Emily shared it, too! Wow. Honored and so grateful. I'm so happy this found its way to you and even happier that you're creating ripples of kindness right where you are.
I was in the room at the Global Leadership Conference when this happened and there was not a dry eye in sight. That incredible moment was one of the most powerful things I have witnessed.
Ah!!! I'm still in awe of that community and the honor of being part of such a moment. Not a day has gone by since that I haven't been in interaction with somebody from EO somehow! It's amazing. Thank you! You're part of something very special.
Gah! I’m crying. You are a beautiful human Brad and what a wonderful boomerang moment. Also I’m laughing. “Adults are just kids with meeting” - and bills and to do lists! I would also say, without meaning to offend, that KPI and ROI and CEO are very boring things and quite unimpressive - whereas being a human called Brad Montague is impressive. Loved this. Thank you 💛
Well not I'M the one yet again crying (and laughing). You're the real deal, Emily. Thank YOU for these generous words and your kind heart. You're a creative force for good! And... yes... I am just a kid with a calendar app doing my best.
For years I never felt like I belonged. Classmates would look at me as weird and I would often sit with the unpopular kids.
After a while I began to believe I was weird. By the time I was fifteen I thought I’d found out why. I’d get very attentive when a good looking guy would be in my immediate area.
That was a battle I fought for years. I didn’t think I belonged to myself much less any group of people.
I finally came to terms with it when I met and became close friends with someone who convinced me to finally open up to myself. Now I enjoy my own company and have friends who accept me for who I am.
Thomas! Thank you. What you've walked through and where you've arrived is powerful. Encouraged by your courage. Inspired by your reminder that belonging isn't about fitting in, but being known. And you are. I'm so happy to know you've found people who see and welcome you as you as you.
I was just thinking about belonging today! My work made it possible to volunteer at a food pantry, taking clients through and letting them choose items off the shelf. Volunteers basically monitor that they are taking allotted amounts. I found that people would take what they needed and sometimes not even take what they were allowed if they thought they wouldn't use it. They would make comments about things they liked or what they had gotten before. I could give feedback, too, or suggest things. And I thought, hey, these people just want to know they belong. They just want to be heard.
I work with the public. It's often draining. I try to remember that people want to be seen, be heard, and be remembered, by name if possible! It's such a simple thing. 💚 It's so important.
Thank you for reminding me that I belong. I love every post!
Thank you, Jennifer, for this beautiful glimpse into the quiet, vital work you're doing. "They just want to be heard." Yes. yes. Yes. Belonging so often starts right there with listening, noticing, and remembering. Inspired and encouraged by your presence. It matters more than we can ever measure. You belong. I see you.
Thank you, Brad, for always encouraging us to show up despite feeling vulnerable and in doubt of ourselves. Your story made me cry 💜
Leila! I'm so happy you are here. Thank YOU!
You are so cool.
But, you're right; it's a universal feeling of not belonging. May you always realize your belonging and continue to share your messages of hope and love!
ERICA! Well now YOU'RE the cool one for saying this. Ha. Thank you. Super grateful to be walking this road together, sharing reminders as we go. You are, yet again, right... the feeling of not belonging runds deep for so many. You're not alone and you belong! Here's to realizing and remembering and helping everyone around us do the same!
How beautiful!!! It's very interesting how the world works. Yesterday I responded to a writing prompt in a writing group that I am a part of. I wrote about the painful feeling on not feeling the sense of belonging as a younger version of myself. And today...I am reminded of how that feeling is far reaching and impacts each of us at different times and in different ways. Your most beautiful message of remembering that we can create and share the space of belonging with others as we go about our lives feels so inspiring. Each one of us belongs! Thank you!
Becky, thank you. I’ve noticed a theme in the lives of some of the kindest, most belonging building people I’ve met… it seems they all know the feeling of being left out. As if they’ve decided to dedicate their lives to ensuring no person ever feels the same things they have. Belonging is a thing we build for each other, with each other. Really really really grateful there’s someone like you working to help build it too.
Brad-- THANK YOU for ALWAYS sharing your soul -- and thus the truth!! I am in awe of how your truth hits me exactly when I need it! May we all have more connection and Boomerang moments! And may we be aware enough to see what a TRUE GIFT of humanity they are! 💜
Your posts always brighten my day. Thank you.
I love this so, so much.
Thanks for taking time to read and encourage me, Maryn. Truly!
Love the boomerang!! That's some kind of real, true magic <3
Exactly right! Real, true magic!!!
Oh, wow. This is so beautiful. I've had a boomerang like this recently, when a friend I had helped during one of my stronger moments in my distant past was there for me with some of the same words and resources when I needed that strength. It was like this beautiful gift from Past Me that's been able to travel and grow, until it was time to return. But I also love knowing it wasn't even from just Me - that these gifts are always circulating among us. The more we share them, the more likely they are to circle back around. Thank you so much for sharing this goosebumps moment.
A gift from Past You! That's a stunning way to describe it. Carried by the current of community until it knew where to land next. Thank you so much for sharing this and reminding me it's not just our strength we're passing along, but part of something much bigger, always in motion, always returning in some new, needed form. Thank you!
I'm so glad Emily Charlotte Powell shared this because, otherwise, I might have missed it. Truly made my day - like a warm hug. Thank you for doing what you do, and for sharing it here.
I'm so glad Emily shared it, too! Wow. Honored and so grateful. I'm so happy this found its way to you and even happier that you're creating ripples of kindness right where you are.
I was in the room at the Global Leadership Conference when this happened and there was not a dry eye in sight. That incredible moment was one of the most powerful things I have witnessed.
Ah!!! I'm still in awe of that community and the honor of being part of such a moment. Not a day has gone by since that I haven't been in interaction with somebody from EO somehow! It's amazing. Thank you! You're part of something very special.
A fantastic reminder that we can create belonging both before ourselves and others. Thanks a million Brad!
Means to much that you'd recognize this in the piece, Donna. Thank you!
Brad, I feel you! :) and I feel your story. What a grace-full moment!
Truly! Truly! Truly! Sending lots of love to you my friend!!!
Made me cry! ( ◜‿◝ )♡
Rose, it means so much to know you’re here. Thank you!