The Tamarack Institute is a truly rich resource for those of us working in community. They recently surveyed 501 people and asked them the question: What does belonging mean to you?

Below is the leader story from Tamarack's site and pdf file with all the reponses.

462 people responded to the question: What does belonging mean to you?

Jean Vanier says that belonging does for human beings what soil does for plants: it nurtures us, and enables us to grow and to blossom.

That’s certainly what came through in the survey responses.

“Belonging,” wrote one respondent, “means feeling safe to be who you are without fear.”

Most of all, belonging is about being – it’s about sense, emotion, relationship - it is at the essence of where we all want to be. It’s a place and a feeling we yearn for. And, when we feel as though we belong, we are in community.

As Paul [Born] continues his research and writing for his forthcoming book Seeking Community - Finding Belonging in Chaotic Times, he’ll share his thoughts on his blog. Join him there, or email Tamarack, with your responses and thoughts on belonging.