The Ultimate Sense of Belonging

The Ultimate Sense of Belonging

by Janpha Thadphoothon

As I reflect on a moment from the past, I find myself transported back to a time when I enjoyed sipping a long black coffee at a table overlooking the Harbour Bridge in Sydney. It was a late Sunday morning, and I was sitting at a café on the way to the Sydney Opera House.

What was I doing back then in 2003? My mind was preoccupied with finishing my thesis at the University of Canberra in the ACT. My friend Kim suggested I take a short break to relax, so I decided to catch a coach from Canberra to Sydney.

I spent the night at Central Station YHA, a place I frequently stayed whenever I visited Sydney. Why? Because it didn’t cost a fortune—just 25 Australian dollars for an overnight stay. The hostel became a familiar refuge during my trips to the city.

Now, let me tell you more about that coffee and the reflections that came to me as I sat at that café, overlooking the harbour and the iconic bridge. The Opera House, a perfect spot for photography, also served as a place for me to ponder the meaning of life and our place on this shared planet, Earth.

Carl Sagan once urged us to think about our place in the universe. He reminded us that we are all inhabitants of a fragile "pale blue dot." Despite advancements, conflicts, wars, and suffering, that's all we have—and all we’ve ever had.

I often spent entire afternoons at bookstores—places filled with shelves of books that I could browse and read for hours without charge. As a student, I had to be mindful of my budget, so I would usually only buy one book, relying on the library for the rest.

At the coffee table, I would dive into these books, taking notes as I read. I wasn’t alone in this practice; I noticed many others around me doing the same. Some were musicians, others philosophy students, all lost in their worlds of learning and reflection.

The ultimate sense of belonging, I realized after sipping my last drop of coffee on that spring morning in Sydney, is the understanding that we are all the same when viewed through the lens of time and cosmic reality.

The idea of "all for one and one for all" resonates deeply with this realization. In our shared journey through life, this principle reflects the interconnectedness of our experiences, emphasizing the importance of unity and collective responsibility. Perhaps, in the end, we can rediscover the essence of our home—this fragile planet—with a renewed sense of wonder and a more mature appreciation.

English marine biologist N.J. Berrill (April 28, 1903–October 16, 1996) poignantly observed, "When properly assembled, we are nothing more than a rather weak watery solution of salts and carbon compounds, held together in a semi-solid state. You and I, along with everything we consume and the myriad bacteria, fungi, and viruses that thrive within us, are an intricate blend of the wind, water, and dust that make up the Earth's surface. The true wonder lies in the fact that this humble collection of elements has the capacity to walk, to talk, and to experience profound emotions like joy and sorrow."

Berrill's reflection invites us to marvel at the simplicity and complexity of life. We are, at our core, composed of the same basic materials that form the world around us. Yet, within this common matter, there exists a spark that enables us to think, feel, and create. It is this very paradox—our elemental simplicity alongside our extraordinary capabilities—that underscores the miracle of life. In recognizing this, we might come to a deeper appreciation of both our own existence and the world we inhabit, realizing that the ordinary substances of life are the foundation for the extraordinary experiences that define our humanity.

One may ask how we make sense of the world. We make sense of the world by comparing, contrasting, and contesting our perceptions, beliefs, and knowledge with others and the natural world we observe. As Professor Lian once said, this process is fundamental to our understanding. His words have lingered in my mind for years, and even now, in 2024, they continue to resonate with me.

By engaging in this ongoing dialogue with the world and with each other, we sharpen our insights and deepen our connections. It is through these interactions—sometimes harmonious, sometimes contentious—that we refine our understanding of our place in the universe. In doing so, we may come to appreciate the intricate tapestry of life on Earth with greater clarity, realizing that our differences are not just challenges to overcome but opportunities to grow.

Ultimately, this process of reflection and engagement may lead us to a profound recognition: that despite our individual paths, we are all part of a larger whole. In this realization lies the true sense of belonging—not just to a place or a group, but to the shared human experience and the delicate balance of life on Earth.

That’s what can happen to you when you have a black coffee in Sydney, watching people at the café and gazing at the Harbour Bridge.

About the author

Janpha Thadphoothon is an assistant professor of English Language Teaching (ELT) at the International College, Dhurakij Pundit University in Bangkok, Thailand. He holds a certificate in Generative AI with Large Language Models issued by DeepLearning.AI. His research interests include the intersection of language, technology, and the philosophies underpinning social structures.