Belonging Book Club

Wow - the 2019 group is full!
It clearly strikes a chord. I’m honored that so many of you have joined. It’s going to be a neat group and a rich exploration.

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The Basics

Belonging is a powerful human need. Loneliness and disconnect are far more common experiences in my own life, however, and I have a sense I’m not alone in this!

In this year-long experience - part book group, part practicum, part guided journey - we will read 10 books that explore the theme of belonging in some way. Then, in monthly discussions, reflections, and skill practices activities, we will explore ways to nurture our sense of belonging through practices of spiritual connection, comfort with uncertainty and risk, community-building, and welcoming others…all while building a fun, inspiring online community of kindred spirits!

What You Get

  • Curated reading list of 10 books.

  • 10 reading guides with journal prompts to help you digest each book.

  • 10 skill practice worksheets to help you identify skills you want to hone each month.

  • 10 virtual discussions facilitated by me. Pour the tea or wine…and see you soon!

  • Private Facebook Group for discussions, quotes, inspiration, connection, and community.

  • Cost: This is my gift and invitation to you!

The Background

As I begin this exploratory year (catch up on my latest blog post if you haven’t already), it’s clear that it’s time to move on from Summit County, Colorado, my home for the past five years, and not yet clear what is next. I initially considered framing my sabbatical as a search for belonging but quickly realized that while place and community matter very much to me – and are certainly huge drivers and goals in this transition – they aren’t the whole story of belonging. No matter how delightful of a place I find, how aligned it is with my values or chock-full of inspiring people and meaningful work, I will also need to shift how I perceive and approach belonging if I am going to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to start fresh!

When I started exploring the literature out there on belonging, I encountered the idea of “competencies for belonging” in Toko-Pa Turner’s book Belonging: Remembering Ourselves Home. I thought…“Aha!”

She writes:

“Most of us think of belonging as a mythical place, that if we keep diligently searching for, we might eventually find. But what if belonging isn’t a place at all, but a skill: a set of competencies that we, in modern life, have lost or forgotten? ”

Toko-Pa sees dream work as “a practice in which we coax, weave, and tend to the roots of our separation—and in so doing, restore our membership in belonging.” So I’m stoked to dig into her juicy book, and equally curious to consider what other practices might help me shift how I craft and experience belonging.

I’ve been haunting Google and talking to all the really wise people I know, collecting books that might bring insight.

 And then I thought, hey, maybe this would resonate with others?!

So, this book club has taken shape as a way to structure my own explorations and spiritual practice this year, expand my offerings at Roots and Waves Coaching, and support you on your own journeys of belonging.

The Books and Discussions

Each monthly discussion in 2019 will be hosted on Zoom on the last Thursday of the month at 8p EST / 7p CT / 6p MST / 5p PST:

Dates and meeting times may adjust depending on preference of interested participants.

Other Resources We’ll Tap Into

Where to Get the Books

  • Local Library. Do you know I never feel quite as patriotic as when frequenting my local library? It’s like voting with my body to support free public spaces, arts and humanities, and access to information for all people. If you don’t have a library card, go get one! Many libraries have eBook collection, too, of that’s your jam.

  • Your Local Book Store.

  • Author’s website, Amazon, IndiBound, etc.

  • Borrow from a friend!

What If….

  • I can’t attend the monthly Zoom gatherings? No problem, you can read the books and participate in discussion in our private Facebook group on your own time.

  • I can’t afford the books? No problem, start with your local library. Ask if anyone in your friend network has a copy you could borrow. Share with another book club member. Look for used books. Or dig into websites, podcasts, interviews etc. with the author and share the insight you gather there with us instead!

  • I’ve already read or am not stoked about one of the books? No problem, read something else and tell us about it…or take a month off and join back in for the next book!

Coaching Discount

While this book club is designed from a coaching mindset, there are no one-to-one or group coaching sessions built into this program, but wouldn’t that be a neat upgrade? All Belonging Book Club members get 10% off coaching packages bought and used in 2019 for themselves or a friend. Consider investing in a coaching package to dig deeper in your belonging exploration and practice this year or get support in another area of your life!

 Are You Looking For…

  • Connection and community.

  • An alternative-type book club.

  • Meaningful books and deep discussions.

  • Belonging in a new place or home.

  • Belonging in your current place or home.

  • New perspective, inspiration, and insight.

  • Supported, hands-on practice?

Then this book club is for you.