Becoming x Belonging

On a purely biological level, the birth process itself is the first instance of separation and individuation, a paradigm of the pattern that will later be manifest psychologically. The fetus initially exists as part, literally, of the mother’s body; then, at birth, it separates—differentiates—and comes into the world as a distinct individual

To have the audacity to be and love and know yourself in a world content to have you live your days in hiding—this is bliss.

We learn early in life that any affiliation—with family and friends, at school or in the workplace—requires proving that we are worthy. We are under pressure to compete with each other, to get ahead, to stand out as intelligent, attractive, capable, powerful, wealthy. Someone is always keeping score.