How do I know if I belong somewhere or if I'm forcing it?

Rabia teaches us something radical: belonging isn't about fitting in. It's about being met. There's a difference between a place that asks you to shrink and a community that expands around you. Real belonging has a texture—you feel less alone, not more isolated. You're not performing constantly; there are moments where you can just be. That said, belonging also requires showing up, being vulnerable, and sometimes staying through the uncomfortable parts. If you're constantly exhausted by masking, or if your core values are routinely dismissed, that's information. But if you're nervous because you're *actually seen*—that's different. Belonging can feel risky. Rabia knew this. She loved without needing to be loved back first, which sounds impossible until you realize it meant she could choose community freely, not desperately. Start by asking: Do I have to erase parts of myself here? Or do I get to risk being known? The answer will tell you a lot. Then ask a second question: Am I staying because I'm afraid to leave, or because something genuine is being built? One is force. The other is faith.