Award-winning author Cathy Gohlke is promoting her new historical fiction novel, “Night Bird Calling,” and sharing insights on how to find a sense of belonging in unexpected places.
We all crave a sense of belonging and being part of a community that’s bigger than ourselves. But discovering where we fit in, especially in new or unfamiliar situations, can be tough even for the most hopeful and determined people.
Here are five steps to help you along the way:
1. Ask Questions
Start by asking questions to understand the vision or goal of the community you want to join. Discuss with others to figure out what’s needed, what’s missing, and how you can help meet those needs and achieve the group’s goals.
2. Consider Your Own Gifts and Resources
Think about what unique skills and resources you can offer to support the community’s needs. Get involved personally and also help others find ways to contribute in areas where you might not be an expert.
3. Encourage
Be encouraging. Keep an open heart, lend a hand, and listen attentively, but avoid gossip. Every community has its highs and lows. Building it bit by bit is essential for progress. Positive reinforcement helps, while negativity can tear it down.
4. Celebrate Achievements
Celebrate both personal and group achievements. Also, be there for those who are going through tough times. Recognizing accomplishments brings everyone closer and helps build strong relationships. Sharing in the joy or grief as a community becomes natural when we invest in each other personally.
5. Persist
Persistence is key. Finding a sense of belonging in new situations takes time. You’ll experience both progress and setbacks, like a dance that requires learning the steps, rhythm, and coordination with others. Once these are learned, you can enjoy the collective movement.
Finding a place to belong often means stepping outside your comfort zone, learning new skills, and seeing life in new ways. But it can also lead to new relationships and joys you never expected.
Official Synopsis of “Night Bird Calling”
From award-winning author Cathy Gohlke comes a compelling historical fiction story set in rural Appalachia on the brink of WWII. After her mother dies, Lilliana Swope finds the courage to escape her abusive husband and seek refuge with her only living relative in No Creek, North Carolina. Though it’s been years since Hyacinth Belvidere last saw her great-niece, she warmly welcomes Lilliana, and they dream of revitalizing Hyacinth’s estate and opening an inclusive public library.
As Lilliana starts anew, she finds friendship in No Creek with an eleven-year-old girl named Celia Percy, the compassionate Reverend Jesse Willard, and Ruby Lynne Wishon, a young woman whose secrets could threaten them all. However, their efforts to create a welcoming library draw the ire of the Klan, putting Lilliana in danger as she grapples with her past and present threats. With war looming, she must face a challenging truth: wishing for change is easy, but making it happen is hard.
About the Author
Cathy Gohlke, a four-time Christy Award and two-time Carol and INSPY Award-winning author, writes novels infused with inspirational historical lessons. Her stories depict individuals overcoming adversity and finding freedom through faith. When not exploring historic sites, she and her husband, Dan, split their time between northern Virginia and the Jersey Shore, enjoying moments with their grown children and grandchildren.
