Prioritizing relational attention and emotional availability as the basis for family belonging, rather than geographic proximity or shared housing.
Rabia's devotion to the Divine could occur anywhere—in the marketplace, alone in her cell, surrounded by community. Her belonging wasn't location-dependent. For diaspora families scattered across continents, time zones, and legal borders, this principle reframes what 'being family' requires. Found family can be fundamentally transnational when grounded in intentional presence rather than propinquity. A sister in Lagos and a sister in Toronto remain fully family through committed communication, shared rituals across distance, and emotional investment that transcends geography. Technology enables this in new ways, but the spiritual principle precedes its tools: presence of heart matters more than presence of body. This liberates diaspora communities from the trauma of thinking geographic separation equals family dissolution. Instead, distance becomes a context for deeper intentionality—family members must actively choose connection, making bonds potentially stronger than those built on mere proximity.
Peri can explain this concept, give practical examples, help you decide whether it applies to your situation, or recommend a journey if appropriate.
Explore related journeys or tell Peri what you're working through.