You Belong in The Room

There is so much going on in and around us today it can challenge us to wonder if we belong in certain rooms. Let me tell you, yes, we do. Now more than ever we need to make our presence felt and seen. There is power in simply being present. A quiet, unshakable authority that comes from knowing you belong in the room, even if the room was not built with you in mind. For many of us, the journey to that truth has not been easy. Life has handed us detours, heartbreak, disappointments, and situations that made us question whether we were good enough, smart enough, strong enough, or worthy enough to stand where opportunities are created and decisions are made.

Yet here is the truth: no matter what you have been through, you belong in the room. Being “in the room” is more than a physical presence. It is a mindset and a posture. It means you have access to conversations, relationships, and possibilities that can change the trajectory of your life and the lives of others. The room might be a boardroom, a community meeting, a classroom, or a family discussion. It is any space where ideas are exchanged, decisions are made, and futures are shaped. To be in the room is to bring the fullness of who you are, your experiences, your culture, your scars, and your wisdom. Who you are and what you bring to the room, and the table allows you to bring information that no one else can bring. It is to refuse the temptation to shrink so others can feel comfortable. It is to stand as a reminder that diversity of thought, background, and perspective is not just valuable; it is essential.

When you are in the room, you are not simply occupying a seat. You are adding light. Your story, your insight, and even your silence can shift an atmosphere. Your presence signals to someone else that they too can step forward.

 

Many of us have internalized a set of quiet lies that whisper we are not qualified. Perhaps you were told you were too much or not enough. Perhaps life events such as a divorce, loss of a loved one, financial hardship, or a painful childhood, left you feeling disqualified. Trauma can convince you that access is reserved for people with cleaner résumés or straighter paths. But the very roads you have walked are the credentials that give your perspective, compassion, and strength. Your scars become a testimony that resilience is possible. The room does not require perfection; it requires authenticity.

Knowing and believing you belong in the room is all about your mindset.  It is important if you want to claim your seat that you start by looking within. Do you know and understand your value? Your worth has nothing to do with your titles and accomplishments. It is rooted in the fact that you exist, and you were created with purpose and for a purpose. It is not based on what others think of you, but rather what you think of yourself. Belonging in the room is also about being prepared. Do the necessary work that makes you prepared. When you are prepared you feel more confident, and it sharpens your skills. Your work will speak for you. Remember, your presence in the room is not just for you.  It is for those that will also come behind you. It is important that you help others along the way.

I know what it feels like to question whether you belong. I have faced seasons of abandonment, divorce, business setbacks, and moments when I felt unseen. But I have also experienced the power of choosing to walk through the door anyway. Each time I entered a room that intimidated me, I discovered that courage is not the absence of fear, it is moving forward despite it. You may be standing at a similar crossroads today. Perhaps you have an opportunity that feels bigger than you. Perhaps you are tired of waiting for permission. Consider this your invitation to step in. Do not be afraid just because it is new. The goal is not to dominate the room but to expand it, inviting dialogue that leads to solutions bigger than any one person. Your presence will expand the room and make it better.

Wendy is The Purpose Partner, Life Strategist, Coach, Consultant, Author, and Speaker. Visit www.WendyGladney.com and www.forgivingforliving.org to learn more.