The Great Belonging Project: Day 4
I told [a theologian and seminary professor I had met] that I wanted more meaningful friendships and asked what I should do. He looked at me and said, “Give people what you want the most.” He said if I want meaningful friendships with others, I could aim to be a good friend. If I want others to include me, I should aim to include others. If I want to be cared for and loved, I could aim to care for and love others. This way of interacting can be difficult. It requires vulnerability, and for me to know what I want. Sometimes I try to meet others in ways I wanted to be met during previous seasons of life.” - The Great Belonging: How Loneliness Leads Us to Each Other
Give others what you want and see what happens next.
Give someone grace after they make a mistake or drop the ball.
Invite someone to brunch or dinner.
Offer an apology to someone you wronged.
Send a postcard with a favorite quote.
Encourage someone to rest more, to slow down. Listen to their response. Keep listening.
Cancel or postpone a meeting with someone who might need extra blank space.
Make a playlist for a friend who lives far away.
Keep trying.
You can read more about The Great Belonging Project: Day 4 suggestion in Chapter 29 of The Great Belonging: How Loneliness Leads Us to Each Other.
What do you want and how can you give it away?
Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments, if you like!
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