April Raintree Belonging

Who am I? What is my purpose in life? Does my life have meaning? These are questions everyone at some point will ask themselves. The novel In Search of April Raintree by Beatrice Culleton Mosionier is a perfect example of how ones path in life can begin with confusion; being exposed to a world full of racism, discrimination and stereotypical people and how such obstacles are needed to grow and find meaning within oneself. It is sometimes difficult to determine what a meaningful life truly is, but there are several components that help you evaluate that question since there is no single answer such as self-acceptance and a sense of belonging along with finding happiness in your daily life and, most importantly, a clear understanding of true

Becoming aware and acknowledging your behavior, habits and your personality, and not being afraid to look at yourself as you are, is an important step to self-acceptance. A sense of belonging increases meaningfulness of life. One reason belonging increases meaning in life is it promotes the idea of continuity. Along with feeling like we belong, coherence in our environment also promotes meaning. When we experience things that do not make sense, we feel life has less meaning. Meaning is found in various ways – sometimes through family, religion and the sense of self. But, certainly, one way to find meaning in life is by seeking out one or more places where we belong and where things make sense. Belonging means acceptance as a member or part. Such a simple word for a huge concept. A sense of belonging is a human need, just like the need for food and shelter. Feeling that you belong is most important in seeking value in life and in coping with intensely painful emotions. Some find belonging in a church, some with friends, and others with family. Some see themselves as connected only to one or two people. Others believe

But do happiness and meaning always go together? Happy people say they have enough money to buy the things they want and the things they need. With April, once her divorced was finalized, she had wealth on her side. She was happy and content where she was with Cheryl. “On March 1st, Cheryl and I went looking for a car. It was wonderful to have money to be able to pay cash for a car…I really wanted a big expensive luxury car, but because of Cheryl, I bought a little Datsun, which I never did like very much, not after that Radcliff automobiles” (p 144). Good health is also a factor that constitutes to happiness but not to meaningfulness. Healthy people are happier than sick people, but the lives of sick people do not lack meaning. The more often people feel good, the happier they are. Being happy results in good and/or high self-esteem. Self-esteem is perhaps the single most important emotional gauge of our ability to feel almost all other positive emotions and beliefs about ourselves. For example, Cheryl, knowing racism and discrimination exists, acknowledges who she is. “Maybe I have put too much faith in my dreams. But if alcohol didn’t have such a destructive force on us, we’d be a fabulous people. And that’s what I see. I see all the possibilities that we have” (p 152). Happiness is viewed in many different ways. Everyone defines happiness according to their personal perspectives. To be happy